December 4, 2014 · Derek

Stan Flemming Concedes to Derek Young for County Council District 7

In what has been one of the more personally surreal elections we've ever followed in this city, Pierce County Councilman Stan Flemming has conceded to Gig Harbor's Derek Young (Note: for those that are unaware, I am not running against Stan Flemming for his County County seat). District 7 represents a diverse area that ranges from Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula to Ruston and much of North Tacoma. Nearly a month after the election the results bobbed and weaved ever closer, then further apart, with each new set of ballots. Last week's results showed Young 93 votes ahead of Flemming. According to The News Tribune, Flemming released a statement this morning conceding the election.

As we have received the results of the recount of the Pierce County Council District 7 - I would like to thank my wife Martha for her steadfast support throughout this election, the citizens of the 7th District and my campaign manager and staff for their unwavering commitment and belief in me as a candidate and as their elected representative. I could not have done this without them.

Thank You for everyone's continued support these last twelve months. The countless hours of doorbelling, walking in parades, sign waving, attending candidate forums and ballot rehab are greatly appreciated. I stand tall with integrity – we fought the good fight.

Despite the support of the voters on the west side of the Narrows bridge and the islands, who have the most at stake in this election and who spoke clearly with our win of 100 percent of the precincts, the voters of north Tacoma, who have a minimal amount to gain spoke with a louder voice.

The process of democracy in action in a republic regarding the process of electing leadership is complete and we now move forward. I am deeply honored to have had the privilege to represent my constituent's issues and our many accomplishments during the past 4 years. I look forward to seeing you in our community.

Congratulations, Derek.

More information at The News Tribune

5 comments

Sarah Rumbaugh December 4, 2014

I am sure that Derek Young of Exit 133 supplied those extra votes to take the former City Councilmember Derek Young to a victory over Stan Flemming. Can't wait for NPR to do a story on this! Great job to both Derek's.
talus December 4, 2014

Flemming's statement makes me even more thankful he lost. The people of Tacoma are ready for a county council that believes in centering Pierce County's growth where it belongs: in the City of Tacoma. Time to end pro-sprawl county policies that harm the environment, Tacoma's tax base and Tacoma's future while preserving the quality of life on the peninsula for its permanent residents as well as its carpetbaggers.
- Xeno December 5, 2014
  
  I totally agree. Pierce County has created sprawlvilles like South Hill, Fredrickson, and the coming soon Tehaleh. Notice no cities will annex them and they stay away with a 10 foot pole. Then people complain of the traffic commuting to Orting. We do ourselves no favors planning communities in the rural areas with no jobs then having some of the worst traffic on rural county roads. The County is addicted to suburban sprawl and growing its tax base than planning a smart community to be annexed by the cities. Hopefully, Derek Young can stop this mentality rather than the Pierce County Council spending its time on porn regulation, strippers, and religious mottos.
Len December 4, 2014

I'm puzzled by the second to last paragraph of Flemming's statement. It almost sounds like he's saying because I live in Tacoma I have less interest, or less at stake, in my county representation? No wonder he lost the Tacoma vote.
- Jesse December 5, 2014
  
  I read that paragraph to my wife last night because it struck me funny too. I'm making assumptions here, but here's what I think... I live on Fox Island. Literally 90% of ALL roads from here to Gig Harbor have been either chip sealed or repaved in the last few years. ALL major roads on Fox Island were chip sealed, with some repaved, this past summer - as well as many power lines buried. None of these roads looked as bad as 75% of the streets in downtown Tacoma. I'm saying that the emphasis in this County is on the suburbs. As well, we Gig Harbor and Fox Island residents pay more taxes than the average Tacoman. Since Flemming is a Republican, you could make he assumption that all he really cares about is low taxes and the wealthy. That's fine but what the County Council doesn't "get" is that a cohesive plan, County and City, for lifting up Tacoma, will lift the entire region. Tacoma should be the emphasis, not the after thought.