Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Dale Estey Concedes to Peters in Seattle School Board Race

Suzanne Dale Estey, left, and Sue Peters.

Seattle school board candidate Suzanne Dale Estey has conceded to her opponent Sue Peters in one of the costliest campaigns in local history. 

Peters said Dale Estey called her Wednesday night to congratulate her.

Dale Estey is the former economic development for the city of Renton. Her campaign raised nearly $100,000 more than Peters. A political action committee, Great Seattle Schools, also raised nearly $100,000 in an effort to defeat Peters.

Peters, a freelance journalist and parent activist who writes an education blog, says in the end, Seattle voters did not want someone who was trying "to buy" an election. 

"That did not sit well with a lot of voters," she said. "The voters saw there was a clear difference between the 2 candidates. And ultimately, they saw I was the more organic candidate who knew the issues."

Peters says she’s looking forward to taking a seat on the school board and tackling a range of issues, such as  growth boundaries as well as a new math curriculum. She also says one of her priorities is to work collaboratively with the other board members and to support  Superintendent Jose Banda. 

In the race for the other open school board seat, Stephan Blanfordwas leading LaCrese Green by a wide margin.

Incumbent Betty Patu ran unopposed.