Top 2 Primary producing finalists for WA General Election
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Washington voters began clearing the decks for the fall General Election by choosing their favorite candidates to advance, using a qualifying election called the Top 2 Primary.
There were surprises — such as several state Senate and House incumbents who were attempting to fend off strong challenges — and the twist of producing several marquee November matchups that will feature finalists from the same party.
For the first time, it appears that two candidates from the same party will vie for a statewide office, state treasurer. Republicans Duane Davidson and Michael Waite emerged atop a five-person field that also included three Democrats.
Two of the 10 U.S. House races also will feature finalists from the same party. In the wide-open Seattle-area 7th District, Pramila Jayapal, a Democratic state senator, easily won a slot on the November ballot, and fellow Democrats Brady Walkinshaw and Joe McDermott were locked in a tight race for the second run-off spot, with less than 500 votes separating them.
The other race is a rerun of the 2014 all-Republican contest in the 4th Congressional District in Eastern Washington, pitting freshman Congressman Dan Newhouse and former Super Bowl football star Clint Didier. Newhouse defeated Didier last time and had a large plurality in this year's Primary.
Eight other congressional incumbents came out on top of their respective primaries.
Many incumbent legislators also fared well, winning their primaries. A number of incumbents either had no opponent filed against them or only one challenger. In all cases, the final election will be in the fall.
In the marquee races, Gov. Jay Inslee and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, both Democrats, were well ahead of their Republican challengers for November, Bill Bryant and Chris Vance, respectively. For the open office of lieutenant governor, voters picked through a field of 11 candidates and were choosing Republican Marty McClendon and Cyrus Habib, a Democrat, as finalists. Results for statewide executive office, as of Thursday afternoon, are here. In the lone Primary for state Supreme Court, Chief Justice Barbara Madsen had a strong plurality in a three-person race, and will advance to the General Election with challenger Greg Zampel.
About 1 million ballots were tabulated by Thursday, for a turnout of 24 percent of registered voters so far. Secretary of State Kim Wyman said that turnout number should grow to the upper 30s or low 40s by the time all incoming ballots are received. She added:
"I salute every voter who took part in Primary 2016. This is such an important step in electing our leaders for the coming days and years. I sense that voters are really engaged in government, politics and campaigns this year, particularly with the 24-7 coverage of the presidential race! I expect to see a turnout of over 80 percent in November."
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Secretary of State
Steve Hobbs
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