Lake Stevens Election Shakeup: Voters Sweep In Four New Faces to City Council

Mayor Gailey to govern alongside majority new council as electorate voices interest in change, incumbents go winless

LAKE STEVENS, WA — Lake Stevens voters delivered a powerful mandate for change in the November 4 General Election, replacing sitting members in every contested race and ushering in a wave of four new leaders for the seven-seat Lake Stevens City Council.

Unofficial results show that four out of four available seats went to first-time candidates, with two incumbents going down and no current council members retaining current seats. Shifting electoral trends at the polls could signal an interest from the public in altering how the rapidly growing city handles issues like development, public safety, and transparency — issues that the challengers underlined in insurgent campaigns.

With an average of approximately 8,100 votes cast in each of the four council races, and overall county turnout hovering at 35.08% for this off-year election, voter participation was moderate but engaged, demonstrating a focused interest in local governance.

The shakeup was most pronounced in Position 2, where small business owner Brian McManus defeated incumbent Gary Petershagen with an overwhelming 66.55% of the vote.

Petershagen, a long-time fixture on the council, was overcome by a challenger with a message focused on financial responsibility and increased public engagement.

The movement against incumbents continued in Position 1, where political newcomer Sabina Araya, assistant transit director for the City of Everett, leads incumbent Kim Daughtry 53.33% to 46.67%.

In the closest race of the night, youth mentor Tosha Edwards