Like with any election season, August’s primary results revealed some upsets and some new faces competing for a position on the Pierce County Council and for Pierce County Executive, all of which could have lasting political consequences.
The News Tribune looked into how much money each candidate raised in the primary race, in addition to how much they spent and who contributed the most to their campaigns.
In all, candidates spent $507,373 in the primary election. Democrat Ryan Mello, the current council chair running for the county Executive seat, spent the most overall with $146,580. In the council race, Republican candidate Loujanna “LJ” Rohrer spent the most with $77,709.
Natalie Johnson, a communications specialist with the state Public Disclosure Commission , told The News Tribune the PDC can categorize contributions or expenses with labels like “miscellaneous” or “other,” but the public can view a full breakdown of those records online . Any outstanding debt reported to the PDC may not reflect the current debt of the campaign because it doesn’t account for debt repayment, the PDC says on its website.
A reminder: the general election is Nov. 5. Learn more about how to register to vote, who your candidates will be and where your nearest ballot box is online at the Pierce County Elections website .
Pierce County Executive
In the tight race, Mello pulled ahead with more than half of the primary vote. Both candidates reported debt.
Mello, who was elected to the council in 2020 after serving on the Tacoma City Council from 2010 to 2019, earned 52.27% of the primary vote. He raised $322,264 in the primary and spent $146,580, according to the state’s Public Disclosure Commission.
According to the state, Mello received $207,399 in individual donations, $82,040 from others and $16,100 from political action committees. He spent $46,463 on printed literature and fliers, $39,759 in miscellaneous expenses, $28,958 in wages and salaries, $22,350 in management and consultant services and $9,050 in graphic art and design.
Mello’s campaign reported $28,409.75 in outstanding debt to Argo Strategies, a political consulting firm.
Chambers, a current state representative in the Washington State Legislature in her third term, earned 47.51% of the primary vote. She raised $259,727 in the primary and spent $143,292.
According to the state, Chambers received $168,889 in individual donations, $59,900 in business donations and $19,964 from political action committees. She spent $51,000 on broadcast/TV advertising, $30,115 on management and consultant services, $25,820 on miscellaneous expenses, $18,745 on printed literature and fliers and $17,612 on fundraising.
Chambers reported $7,646 in debt to Red Strategies LLC , a political consulting firm.
District 2
Although the Republican incumbent for District 2 received over half of the primary vote, the Democrat challenger received nearly double his individual contributions.
Incumbent Republican Paul Herrera was appointed to the council in 2022 and earned 53.45% of the primary vote. A veteran with experience in law enforcement, he raised $28,263 in his campaign and spent $18,517, according to the state’s Public Disclosure Commission.
Herrera received $11,017 in individual donations, $6,400 in business donations and $2,400 from political action committees. He spent $5,325 in printing literature and fliers, $4,075 on postage and mail permits, $3,723 on management and consultant services, $3,668 on miscellaneous expenses and $1,725 on fundraising events, according to the state.
Democrat Davida Haygood, an educator and community organizer, earned 37.8% of the primary vote. She raised $32,180 in her campaign and spent $19,718, according to the state.
Haygood received $20,006 in individual contributions, $4,322 from political action committees, $3,453 from others, $2,400 from unions and $2,000 from the Democratic party. She spent $6,136 on miscellaneous expenditures, $5,705 on management and consulting services and $7,877 on advertising, campaign signs and fliers.
District 2 includes the communities of Edgewood, Milton, Pacific, Puyallup, South Hill, Summit View and Sumner.
District 3
Republican incumbent Amy Cruver didn’t face much of a challenge in the primary, with a significant polling lead. She raised almost five times more than her Democrat opponent did in the campaign.
Cruver, who has served on the council since 2020, earned 59.15% of the primary vote. A long-time assistant of state senator and prior county councilman Jim McCune, Cruver raised $59,342 in her primary campaign and spent $4,294, according to the state’s Public Disclosure Commission.
Cruver received $34,853 in individual contributions, $7,200 in business contributions, $6,140 from others and $2,400 from political action committees. She spent $1,372 on miscellaneous expenses, $1,339 on filing fees, $542 on campaign merchandise and $520 on graphic design and art.
Democrat John Limboe, a fire commissioner and farmer, earned 28.56% of the primary vote. He raised $11,902 in his campaign and spent $4,783, according to the state.
Limboe received $3,339 from himself, $1,855 in miscellaneous contributions, $1,500 in individual contributions, $1,300 from the Democratic party and $1,200 from political action committees. He spent $1,339 for in-kind contributions, $1,218 for printing campaign signs, $950 for graphic design and art and $515 for printing fliers.
District 3 includes Ashford, Eatonville, Elbe, Elk Plain, Frederickson, Graham, Harts Lake, Lacamas, McKenna, Roy and Spanaway.
District 4
Rosie Ayala and Rodney Robinson, both Democrats, moved on to the general election in the primary for District 4.
Ayala, a Metro Parks board commissioner and director of Operations for Foundation for Tacoma Students, garnered 66.29% of the vote. She raised $43,501 in her primary campaign and spent $33,519, according to the state’s Public Disclosure Commission.
Ayala received $26,819 in individual contributions, $9,768 from others and $6,050 from political action committees. She spent $13,807 on printed fliers, $6,550 on management and consultant services, $5,215 on miscellaneous expenditures and $3,860 on wages and salaries.
Robinson, the director of the Campaign to End and Prevent Youth and Young Adult Homelessness in Pierce County, earned 30.44% of the vote. He raised $10,232 for his primary campaign and spent $17,662.
Robinson received $5,508 in individual donations, $2,124 from others, in addition to $500 from political action committees. He spent $5,000 on monetary contributions to political action committees, $4,285 on management and consultant services, $3,875 on miscellaneous expenses and $2,271 on printed fliers.
Robinson reported $4,722.50 in outstanding debt to the PDC for consulting.
District 4 includes Fircrest, parts of Tacoma (like Central Tacoma, Downtown, Hilltop and South Tacoma), as well as University Place.
District 6
In an upset, Republican Loujanna “LJ” Rohrer received more votes than Democrat incumbent Jani Hitchen in the primary. Rohrer, a twice elected Steilacoom Historical School Board director and a senior legislative assistant, greatly outspent and out-fundraised Hitchen, according to the state’s Public Disclosure Commission.
Rohrer earned 46.71% of the primary vote. She raised $116,867 in the primary and spent $77,709.
A vast majority of her contributions were from individuals — $92,261. Rohrer received $13,600 from businesses as well. She spent $26,997 on miscellaneous expenses, $15,000 on surveys, polling and research, $14,774 on printed fliers, $13,105 on management and consultant services and $7,832 on other advertising.
Hitchen, a former educator who has served on the council since 2020, earned 41.65% of the primary vote. She raised $86,069 in the primary and spent $41,299.
Hitchen received $43,494 from individuals, $17,054 from others, $15,300 from political action committees and $2,500 from the Democratic party. She spent $17,891 on printed fliers, $11,050 on miscellaneous expenses, $5,050 on management and consultation services, $3,138 on wages, salaries and benefits and $4,169 on other expenditures.
Hitchen reported $7,685 in debt to Argo Strategies. She told The News Tribune Wednesday, “I could pay my outstanding debts now, the bill just hasn’t come due.”
District 6 includes the communities of DuPont, Joint Base Lewis McChord, Lakewood, Parkland, Steilacoom, Anderson Island and Ketron Island.
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