Democratic strategist believes Harrell will hold his lead: ‘I’m predicting he will win’

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell took an early lead over challenger Katie Wilson in the first batch of results, but will his lead hold?

Cathy Allen, Democratic strategist and president of The Connections Group, believes there is a possibility it could swing in Wilson’s favor.

“Nothing is strong enough in terms of the kinds of returns we’ve already had, given the fact that only 20% of the votes have been counted, and we should be looking at another 20% or more in terms of this election, based upon that, anything can be different,” Allen told “Seattle’s Morning News” on KIRO Newsradio.

However, Allen thinks Harrell will secure the win.

“Traditionally, these last-minute votes come in. They are Democratic votes. They’re younger. They’re usually ones that are more progressive, so to speak. However, I think Bruce has enough to be able to hold on. I’m predicting he’s winning and will win,” she explained.

Allen agreed that Harrell centering his campaign on Wilson’s lack of management and budgeting experience was enough to push him over the edge.

“Bruce has not been one that has been particularly articulate all throughout his election phase. I mean, the guy is doing his job, and he is truly somebody who doesn’t like the campaign role. However, I do think that he has kind of a consistency with voters that really do remember that he’s something that is a lot more safe and sure than somebody new coming in that doesn’t have any electoral experience,” Allen said.

She noted the race is far from over, and said votes will be coming in until the end of the election.

“We’ve got 10 days’ worth of the vote coming in, and I think that they’ll be dribbling in for a while,” Allen shared.

Democratic strategist: King County executive race too close to call

As for the King County executive race, Allen thinks it’s too close to call.

“That one there is really too close to call, because in that one, I could actually see the woman vote when you talk about the progressives and their votes changing things, if you look into that, you’ll find they’re 55 to 45 women, and they’re mostly under 65 in terms of looking at whose votes are left to be counted, I think Claudia has a fair spot at this. I really do,” she explained.

Asked for her overall takeaway for Democrats nationwide, Allen said voters seemed underwhelmed by the candidates they chose.

“There was no other place to go. I’m not saying that we sort of won the day. I’m saying we didn’t lose the day,” she said.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to “Seattle’s Morning News” with Charlie Harger and Manda Factor weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. on KIRO Newsradio. Subscribe to the podcast here.