Two more years for Miloscia and Priest

By PAT JENKINS

The Mirror

Incumbents Mark Miloscia and Skip Priest are going back to Olympia.

Miloscia, a Democrat who fended off an aggressive opponent, and Priest, a Republican facing a first-time candidate for the Legislature, were re-elected Tuesday to two-year terms as state representatives from the 30th District –– the fourth one for Miloscia, the second for Priest.

With 46.4 percent of the registered voters in the district casting ballots, Miloscia (Position 1) was a big winner over Republican Tony Moore, while Priest (Position 2) scored a smaller but still decisive victory over Democrat Joe Henry.

The 15,333 votes for Miloscia were nearly 15 percent more than the 11,266 recorded for Moore. Miloscia finished with 56.2 percent to Moore's 41.3 percent. Libertarian Robert Brengman received 2.4 percent of the votes (668).

During the campaign, Miloscia emphasized government accountability and higher state funding of public education. Moore, a businessman, also stressed education along with policies aimed at encouraing economic growth.

But despite aggressively questioning Miloscia's performance and effectiveness as a legislator, Moore wound up losing his second bid in two years for the Legislature. He fell short in a Senate race in 2002.

Priest collected 51.5 percent of the votes (13,960) to Henry's 45.4 percent (12,306). Libertarian Jonathan Wright received 3 percent (827).

Priest stressed his community ties (he's a former Federal Way City Councilman, among other involvement) and his statewide role, including his effort with other state officials that helped land the Boeing 7E7 assembly business for Washington.

Henry, an ex-Federal Way School Board member, based his candidacy largely on his pro-education background as a teacher.

Miloscia's victory helped Democrats retain majority control of the House of Representatives. Their party held a 52-46 edge in House membership going into Tuesday's election, and initial returns from around the state showed Republican candidates would likely gain no more than one seat.

Editor Pat Jenkins: 925-5565, editor@fedwaymirror.com

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