The first wave of primary election numbers Tuesday night showed some intriguing results in the races for the Valley Medical Center commissioner seat and the King County Fire District commissioner position.

The Veterans and Human Services Levy was easily making the grade with about 66 percent approval from King County voters.

Valley Medical Center Commissioner District No. 1

The race to fill longtime commissioner Don Jacobson’s seat is about to get interesting.

Paul Joos came out on top with 9,347 votes and 42.88 percent and Renton School Superintendent Mary Alice Heuschel ran second, picking up 7,627 and 34.99 percent.

Jim Grossnickle finished third with 4,732 and 21.71 percent.

Jacobson is retiring after serving on the Valley Medical board since 1993.

Valley Medical Center and the University of Washington Medical formed an alliance in June. During the past few years, there has been considerable conflict between the Valley board members concerning various issues, including staff compensation, the alliance and transparency.

King County Fire Protection District No. 43 Commissioner No. 4

In the race for fire district commissioner challenger Gabe DeBay, a firefighter with the Shoreline Fire Department was outpolling incumbent Jennifer Rydberg.

Debay had 1,684 votes and 45.34 percent to Rydberg’s 35.19 percent and 1,307 votes.

Running third was Jim Callow with 691 votes and 19.61 percent.

Soos Creek Water and Sewer District Commissioner No. 1

A full field was hoping for the votes to move to the November general election and the race is a tight one.

Tuesday’s results had Steve Pfaff on top with 2,240, 25.76 percent and Rachelle Weiler second with 1,909 and 21.95 percent.

Third was Larry West at 1,897 and 21.81 percent. Fourth was Darold Stroud, the incumbent, at 1,771 and 20.37 percent followed by Mike Cole with 590 and 6.78 percent and Darren M. Yokes at 237 and 2.73 percent.

Stroud was appointed to the seat in June after Commissioner Randall Reece died.

The Veterans and Human Services Levy had 66.25 percent and 134,509 votes for approval.

The measure replaces an expiring levy approved in 2005. The funds would be used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder as well as provide mental health services and rental assistance.

The county will levy 5 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value or for a home valued at $350,000, about $17 per year.

In contested races, the top two candidates move to the November general election.

City council and school board races with less than three candidates filing for office did not appear on the primary ballot.