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Story perspectives

Gluesenkamp Perez, Braun Advance; Seattle Votes on $480 M Library Levy

8/5/2026

36 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Washington voters sent U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and State Sen. John Braun to the general election.
Amanda McKinney led the 4th District primary with 34.85%, while John Duresky received 30.8%.
Incumbent Rep. Adam Smith topped the 9th District race, ahead of Rep. Doug Basler.
Seattle voters weighed a $480 million library levy adding $9/month to taxes, while about 780,000 ballots were cast statewide, including roughly 300,000 in King County.

History

Historical Context

In November 1999 Seattle voters approved Library Initiative 710, a $200 million levy championed by former mayor Paul Schell to expand the library system. The vote reflected a trend after Congress created the Institute of Museum and Library Services in 1996, which now oversees a $313.58 million budget and supports library grants, a model echoed in the 2024 Washington primary that includes Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and a $480 million levy.

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Story summary

Washington voters sent U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and State Sen. John Braun to the general election.
Amanda McKinney led the 4th District primary with 34.85%, while John Duresky received 30.8%.
Incumbent Rep. Adam Smith topped the 9th District race, ahead of Rep. Doug Basler.
Seattle voters weighed a $480 million library levy adding $9/month to taxes, while about 780,000 ballots were cast statewide, including roughly 300,000 in King County.

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