Preliminary results showed Ibsen with over 53% of the vote. Tacoma Council Member John Hines lagged behind with about 46%, but did not concede the election Tuesday.
Mayor Bruce Harrell was leading in the race against progressive challenger Katie Wilson by 7 percentage points on Tuesday night, but both said it was too early to call.
Early ballot returns on election night showed a more progressive slate of candidates leading in the races for city attorney and three City Council seats.
Voters were giving the go-ahead Tuesday for the state to make stock market investments with payroll taxes collected for Washington’s new long-term care program.
Initial results released after ballot boxes closed Tuesday show incumbent state Sen. Deb Krishnadasan carrying 52.6% of the vote. Rep. Michelle Caldier held 47.2%.
Federal lawmakers continue to debate whether to extend tax credits driving down Affordable Care Act insurance costs. Without them, many Washingtonians may risk going uninsured.