From Trib business reporter Kelly Kearsley:

Port of Tacoma commissioners Dick Marzano and Connie Bacon were cruising toward victories in Tuesday’s election, each holding a significant lead in early results.

The five-person commission will also likely have a new member in Don Meyer, now the executive director of the Foss Waterway Development Authority. Meyer was winning by a wide margin Tuesday night over former Pierce County auditor Cathy Pearsall-Stipek.

Despite rough waters at the port over the past year – a recession, layoffs, project missteps and now a search for a new executive director – voters seemed to retain their confidence in the incumbents.

Marzano was challenged by Tacoma businessman Charles Kelly Creso. Marzano, a longshoreman, has been elected four times before.

“It’s always nice to know that you still have a confidence of the majority of Pierce County residents, but there’s a lot of work to be done to bring back the port to where it was,” Marzano said.

Bacon was running against Bill Casper, a local engineer who has vied twice for a seat on the commission. She was pleased to be returning to her post for a fourth time.

“We have a lot of work to do and a clear path to do it and I’m very excited,” Bacon said.