Surprising no one, voters will pick between Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna and former Democratic Congressman Jay Inslee in the Nov. 6 general election.
McKenna received 42.9 percent of the vote as of 9 p.m. Tuesday. Inslee pulled in 46.7 percent of the vote. The top two finishers in each race, regardless of party, will advance to the November election.
In the early results for the rest of the statewide races:
Lt. Governor
Current Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, a Democrat, held a dominant lead with 49 percent of the votes. The race to face him remained tight between Republicans Bill Finkbeiner (25 percent) and Glenn Anderson (18 percent).
Secretary of State
Republican Kim Wyman raced out to the front with 39.1 percent in early returns. The fight to face her remained close between Democrats Greg Nickels (16.1 percent) Kathleen Drew (21.5 percent) and Jim Kastama, (13.8 percent).
Attorney General
The race appears likely to be a showdown between Democrat Bob Ferguson (52.2 percent) and Republican Reagan Dunn (38.3 percent).
State Treasurer
As the only candidate, Jim McIntire enjoyed a cakewalk with 100 percent of the vote.
State Auditor
Republican James Watkins enjoyed a comfortable lead with 45.2 percent of the vote. Democrats Craig Pridemore (20.3 percent) and Troy Kelley (24.1 percent) fought for the No. 2 spot.
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Incumbent Randy I. Dorn held a dominant lead with 54.3 of the vote in the nonpartisan seat. Ronald Higgins (15.5 percent) and James Bauckman (14.6 percent) fought for a distant second.
But Dorn, by the time the final primary vote is tallied, could end up in the general election unopposed. The Superintendent of Public Instruction, along with judicial races are not affected by the "top two" guideline. So simply finishing the primary with 50 percent plus one vote effectively wins the seat.
Commissioner of Public Lands
Democrat Peter Goldmark held a sizeable lead with 51.7 percent of the votes. He is likely to face Republican Clint Didier, who had 40.6 percent.
Insurance Commissioner
Democrat Mike Kreidler has pulled in 54.7 percent of the vote in the initial returns. Republicans John R. Adams (22.6 percent) and Scott Reilly (17.8 percent) fought for the right to face Kreidler in November.
