Federal Way early election results: Ferrell beats Honda, Sessoms leads Dovey

Published 9:22 pm Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Early results are in for the 2025 general elections, including the races for Federal Way’s next mayor and for three city council seats. Final results will be certified on Nov. 25.

Federal Way Mayor

As of 8:30 p.m. Nov. 4, incumbent Jim Ferrell is leading for Federal Way’s mayor, receiving 5,589 votes or 67.57%, and Susan Honda receiving 2,575 votes or 31.13%.

Federal Way City Council

For city council races, Martin Moore is ahead by 75.52% for position 2, so far receiving 6,014 votes vs. Nathan Orth at 1,864 votes.

Melissa Hamilton is so far leading for position 4. Hamilton has received 65.10% of the votes at 5,207 vs. Tammy Dziak’s 34.40% or 2,752 votes.

For position 6, newcomer Les Sessoms is challenging incumbent and longtime elected official Jack Dovey. So far, it is a close race, with Sessoms leading at 50.41% against Dovey’s 49.22%.

Federal Way School Board

Federal Way’s School Board had two open positions this year, with Eric Gollings running uncontested for Director of District 1 and incumbent and current board president Trudy Davis facing off with challenger Jim Dalke for FWPS District 4. Steve Gorringe initially filed to run for District 1 as well, but withdrew.

So far, Gollings has received 57.21% votes for District 1, and despite no longer being in the race, Steve Gorringe has received 41.92%. Davis looks to maintain her District 4 seat, receiving 65.35% of the votes to Dalke’s 34.01%.

Municipal Court

Muncipal Court judge candidates Mitch Greene and Danielle Havens campaigned against each other to replace Judge David Larson, as he leaves Position 2 for retirement.

Danielle Havens is ahead with 69.93% of the vote vs. Mitch Greene’s 29.60%.

Incumbent Brad Bales also ran for Federal Way Municipal Court, unopposed in Position 1. So far he has received 98.44% votes or 6,231 votes.

Lakehaven Water and Sewer

Federal Way had openings for two Lakehaven Water and Sewer District Commissioner positions in this general election.

For Position 2, Juan Juarez is winning with 53.11% of the vote against Travis Baker’s 46.04%.

For Position 4, Laura Belvin is leading with 86.23%, followed by Daniel Kukhar at 13.18%.

King County Council

In the King County Council District No. 7 race to represent Federal Way and Auburn, longtime incumbent Pete von Reichbauer has received 64.59% of the vote in his race against challenger Maya Vengadasalam, who has received 34.79%. Reichbauer has held the seat for 31 years.

King County Executive

The August primary narrowed the race down to front-runners Girmay Zahilay and Claudia Balducci. So far, Zahilay is ahead with 50.07 % of the vote to Balducci’s 48.44%.

Other results

• Senate Joint Resolution No. 8201: This statewide measure is passing with 70% of the vote in King County and 56.78% statewide. With this measure, the Legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment on allowing money in Washington’s long-term care fund to be invested. This amendment would allow the state fund dedicated to providing long-term care benefits for eligible seniors and people with disabilities to be invested as authorized by law.

• King County Prop. 1: Proposition No. 1, Medic One – Emergency Medical Services Replacement of Existing Levy is passing with 79.39% of the vote. For the county-wide Medic One emergency medical services system, the county seeks to replace an expiring levy by imposing regular property taxes of $0.25 or less per thousand dollars of assessed valuation for each of six consecutive years, with collection beginning in 2026, as provided in King County Ordinance No. 19950, to continue paying for Medic One emergency medical services. For a property with an assessed valuation of $844,000, the maximum rate would be approximately $211 in the first year. Qualifying seniors, veterans, and disabled persons would be eligible for exemption from the levy.