Julie Wise and Zack Hudgins appeared headed for a runoff to replace Sherril Huff as director of King County Elections.
Huff, who has held the job for six years, said in May that she had decided not to seek another term because of personal and health reasons.
Wise, who took 62.3 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s returns, is the current deputy director of King County Elections.
Hudgins, who got 21.7 percent of the vote, has served in the state Legislature since 2001, in the 11th District, which includes Renton, Tukwila, Kent and South Seattle.
Christopher Roberts, a small-business owner from Shoreline, was in third place with 15.