Four-way race for Arlington mayor, Larson not seeking a third term | Update

ARLINGTON — Four candidates have already thrown their hats into the ring for the Arlington mayor's race, in the wake of news that Margaret Larson will not be seeking a third term in office.

At the start of candidate filing week on June 6, the 73-year-old incumbent noted that, between her two terms and her late husband John Larson's three terms, the Larsons have had close to 19 years in the Arlington mayor's office between them. "Mayor Margaret," as she's known by many of the city's citizens, shared her wishes to spend more time with her family and to travel more, but she promised that she would remain both an Arlington resident and an active participant in its City Council meetings, albeit as a citizen rather than as an elected official.

Larson was drafted to run for Arlington mayor in 2003 and expressed pride in her tenure since then, during which the city has expanded its sewer plant, taken on a storm water wetlands project, rehabilitated Olympic Avenue in its downtown, and forged partnerships with the Arlington School District, the Cascade Valley Hospital and Clinics, and the Arlington Arts Council, as well as youth groups and a number of other organizations. Larson believes these moves have bettered the city's public facilities and quality of life.

As of June 6, Barbara Tolbert, Craig Christianson, Debora Nelson, and Arlington City Council member and Mayor Pro Tem Steve Baker had filed for the Arlington mayor's office. Tolbert currently serves as executive director of the Arlington Fly-In and a member of the city's Airport Commission and its Economic Development and Lodging Tax Advisory committees.

June 6 also saw incumbent Arlington City Council members Sally Lien, Marilyn Oertle and Dick Butner re-file for their offices, while candidate Ken Klein filed for the At Large Council position in which Linda Byrnes currently serves.

Candidates may file online or at the Snohomish County Auditor's Office. For more information, call 425-388-3444 or log onto www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/Auditor/Divisions/Elections_Voting.

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