The re-election campaign of Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon got a boost Tuesday, as the two-term incumbent led challenger state Rep. Mike Hope in an election that serves as a kind of straw ballot for November.

Reardon, a Democrat, grabbed nearly 53 percent of the vote in early returns, to 47 percent for Hope, a Seattle police officer and Republican legislator from Lake Stevens.

State law requires candidates to be listed on the primary ballot in partisan elections, even, as in this case, if only two candidates enter the race. Tuesday's election won't decide who will be the next county executive; that won't be decided until November.

"I expected to be down some or to have it a little tighter," Reardon said. "But we didn't spend any money."

Hope was optimistic. "I've always gained percentage points" in the days after an election when votes continue to come in, he said. "Statistically, this is exactly what we thought would happen."

County Council

In the race for County Council District 2, which includes Mukilteo and Everett, Democratic Councilmember Brian Sullivan was leading in early returns, with 67 percent. He and Republican challenger Glen Sayes, with nearly 23 percent, appear headed to the November election. Republican Jason Mills had 10 percent in early returns.

In District 3, which takes in Lynnwood, Edmonds and Woodway, only two candidates filed, and both will be on the fall ballot. Democrat Stephanie Wright, appointed to fill a council vacancy a year ago, received about 60 percent of the votes counted so far; her challenger, Republican Kathleen Vaughn, had 40 percent.

Nancy Bartley: 206-464-8522 or nbartley@seattletimes.com