2001 King County Executive election

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2001 King County Executive election
Flag of King County, Washington (1984-2007).svg
 1997November 6, 2001 2005  
  Ronsims001.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Ron Sims Santos Contreras
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote263,516151,606
Percentage60.79%34.98%

County Executive before election

Ron Sims
Democratic

Elected County Executive

Ron Sims
Democratic

The 2001 King County Executive election was held on November 6, 2001. Incumbent Democratic County Executive Ron Sims ran for re-election to a second term. Though several prominent Republicans, including County Councilman Rob McKenna, considered running against Sims, [1] he faced relatively little-known challengers. He was challenged by Kirkland City Councilman Santos Contreras, civil engineer Alan Lobdell. [2] In the blanket primary, Sims received 59 percent of the vote. Contreras defeated Lobdell to win the Republican nomination, 26–12 percent, and advanced to the general election, along with Libertarian businessman David Fries. Sims ultimately won a second term in a landslide, receiving 61 percent of the vote to Contreras's 35 percent.

Contents

Following the invalidation of Washington's partisan blanket primary by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, [3] this was the last election for King County Executive to take place with the blanket primary.

Primary election

Candidates

Results

Blanket primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Ron Sims (inc.) 165,533 59.32%
Republican Santos Contreras 71,201 25.52%
Republican Alan Lobdell32,99011.79%
Libertarian David Fries 9,412 3.37%
Total votes279,041 100.00%

General election

Results

2001 King County Executive election [6]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Ron Sims (inc.) 263,516 60.79%
Republican Santos Contreras151,60634.98%
Libertarian David Fries18,3404.23%
Total votes433,462 100.00%
Democratic hold

References

  1. 1 2 Quigg, David (March 23, 2001). "Sims ready for fight but has no challenger". The News Tribune . Tacoma, Washington. p. B1. Retrieved July 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com.
  2. Quigg, David (September 4, 2001). "Political hopefuls face long odds trying to stop a steamroller -- Sims". The News Tribune . Tacoma, Washington. p. B1. Retrieved July 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com.
  3. Democratic Party of Washington State v. Reed, 343F.3d1198 , 1207(9th Cir.2003)(". . . the Washington blanket primary statute is on its face an unconstitutional burden on the rights of free association of the Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians who have brought this suit.").
  4. 1 2 3 "King County Local Voters Pamphlet - September 18, 2001 Primary and Special Elections". King County Elections. 2001. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  5. "KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - September 18, 2001 - Primary in conjunction with Special Elections". King County Elections. September 30, 2001. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  6. "KING COUNTY - 11/06/01". King County Elections. November 21, 2001. Retrieved July 8, 2025.