More numbers out from the King County Elections Department — updated this afternoon. They promise updated numbers late tonight, two updates tomorrow afternoon and late-night, and then daily updates for as long as needed until final results are certified just before Thanksgiving. Statewide, two races remain too close to call: For lands commissioner, Democrat Peter Goldmark is slightly ahead of incumbent Doug Sutherland, and challenger Randy Dorn is slightly ahead of state school superintendent Terry Bergeson (find results for those races here). Meantime, three more local leaders have answered our request on their thoughts on last night’s election and what’s next, including West Seattle-residing City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen with what’s next for city parks after Prop 2 passed (he chairs the Parks Committee), County Councilmember Dow Constantine with what’s next for mass transit after the Sound Transit measure passed (he chairs the Transportation Committee), and State Rep. Sharon Nelson on what it’s like to be elected for the first time (her first election after being appointed to the State House exactly a year ago) — you don’t often hear elected officials using words like “elated” and “thrilling”:

First, from City Councilmember Rasmussen on the passage of the city parks levy:

I was elated. This was a low-budget grass-roots- roll-up-your- sleeves and hard working campaign. I was very concerned that the slowing economy would hurt its chances of success.

This a wonderful victory for our neighborhoods that are in need of parks and that are rapidly developing. It will help pay for the repair playgrounds, athletic fields and improve paths and trails for walkers, joggers and wheel chair users and it will have to pay for the repair some of our aging parks buildings.

We will discuss next steps at our December 9th Parks Committee meeting. We will appoint a citizens oversight panel within the next several months and will begin working with the Mayor and Parks Department to fulfill the Pro-Parks levy plan. Stay tuned for more details!

Next, from County Councilmember Constantine, on Election Night in general and some other issues:

Election Night 2008 was filled with historic moments. The announcement that our nation will be led by its first African-American president was both thrilling and humbling. Barack Obama’s triumph was not over John McCain or the Republican Party, but over cynicism and, indeed, over history itself. We not only showed how far we have come as a nation, we declared ourselves to be a people of vision, optimism, and confidence in our shared future.

I am excited that the voters have given Governor Chris Gregoire a well-deserved second term. And I am hopeful that Peter Goldmark will maintain his narrow lead and be elected our next state Commissioner of Public Lands. His election would restore badly needed balance to the management of our state’s forest and water resources.

The approval of the Sound Transit light rail extension and the decisive rejection of Initiative 985 are a powerful statement by the voters that they want better transit options in this region as it continues to grow rapidly over the next century. As a Sound Transit Board Member, I will work hard to make sure that the studies of light rail to West Seattle, White Center, and Burien are well done and inclusive of our community’s needs. These studies will provide the foundation for future expansions of our rail system. As a member of the King County Council, I will also continue to advocate for better bus and passenger ferry service to West Seattle, especially during viaduct construction.

I am excited about the prospects for change in our city, state, and country and thankful for the hard work of countless volunteers to involve people in the political process. In this election the American people stated, in no uncertain terms, that we still believe in the dream of our founders, and that we are willing to work together to make our nation a more perfect union.

Now, from Rep. Nelson:

Last night was a remarkable experience. I watched as the people of our nation selected President-elect Obama after a spirited campaign built on the energy, dedication and passion of citizens across the country. The victory celebrations that occurred from coast to coast showed that we recognize the importance of every individual vote and voice in determining our collective future.

In Washington state, it appears that these votes will lead to the election of Peter Goldmark as state Lands Commissioner. He is a remarkable man and an excellent candidate. He refused to take money from the industries he would regulate, if elected, and he is the right person to restore public confidence to this important statewide office.

Lastly, this was also my first election to public office. I was elated by the support and encouragement I received from voters across the 34th Legislative District during my campaign. It gives me even more enthusiasm to return to Olympia for the next Legislative session and to work for education, the environment, and health care.