EVERETT — Two-term incumbent Cassie Franklin gained an early lead in the race to retain the Everett mayoral seat, as former city council member Scott Murphy trailed Tuesday night, initial results show.

Initial results showed Franklin leading with 52.5 % of the vote while Murphy trailed with 47.1 % of the vote.

It was always poised to be a narrow gap. In the August primary, Murphy won the four-way race with a margin of just 65 votes.

Combined, the two candidates have reported about $550,000 in campaign contributions as of Monday, making it the eighth most expensive race in the state this year, according to Washington public disclosure reports.

Franklin is looking to earn a third term in office after being first elected mayor in 2017. Her campaign focused on her experience in of

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