The 2005 King County Executive election was held on November 8, 2005. The election, which was the first to take place after Washington's blanket primary was invalidated, used separate primaries. Incumbent Democratic County Executive Ron Sims, who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for Governor in 2004, ran for re-election to a third term. He was challenged by two lesser-known candidates in the Democratic primary, and won by a wide margin, but the race was closer than expected.
In the general election, Sims was challenged by County Councilman David Irons, the Republican nominee. Irons attacked Sims for his "lack of experience in knowing how to manage and lead," citing alleged mismanagement of the county elections office during the 2004 gubernatorial election. Though Sims's campaign acknowledged that seeking a third term was a challenge due to voter fatigue, and Irons was seen as a strong candidate, Sims defeated him in a landslide, winning 56 percent of the vote to Irons's 40 percent.
Democratic primary Candidates Ron Sims, incumbent County Executive Karen Rispoli, former prison guard Michael Nelson, perennial candidate
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin MichaelNelson KarenRispoli RonSims UndecidedSurveyUSA August 30 – September 1, 2005351 (LV) ± 5.2% 8% 17%62% 13%
Primary results
Republican primary Candidates David Irons, County Councilman
Declined Dino Rossi, former State Senator, 2004 Republican nominee for Governor (endorsed Irons)
Primary results
General election Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin RonSims (D) DavidIrons (R) GentryLange (G) Other /UndecidedSurveyUSA August 30 – September 1, 2005 1,642 (RV) ± 2.5% 49% 41% – 10%SurveyUSA September 30 – October 2, 2005 467 (LV) ± 4.6% 50% 45% – 6%SurveyUSA October 14–16, 2005 522 (LV) ± 4.4% 43% 46% 7% 4%SurveyUSA October 28–30, 2005 591 (LV) ± 4.1% 48% 41% 8% 3%
Results
Notes
References