Early statewide primary results offer few surprises, but one close seven-contender race

Few surprises came out of Washington’s statewide and federal primary results on Tuesday night. No incumbents were losing in their respective races.

But the relatively low-profile race for Commissioner of Public Lands — a wide open race because DNR chief Hilary Franz is running for Congress — was providing the drama with all seven contenders with substantial vote tallies.

Here are the results of that and other contested state and federal races.

Commissioner of Public Lands

Former Republican congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler is leading with 22.6% of the Tuesday night vote. Right behind Beutler are fellow Republican Sue Kuehl Pederson with 20.3% and Dave Upthegrove, a Democrat, with 19.9%.

But not far behind are the rest of the candidates. The four remaining Democrats are Patrick DePoe with 13.2%, Allen Lebovitz with 10.8%, Kevin Van De Wege with 8.2% and Jeralee Anderson at 4.9%.

Additional ballots will have to be counted statewide before the top two candidates will be determined to advance to the November general election.

U.S. Senator

Incumbent Democrat Maria Cantwell, first elected in 2000, was leading with 57.8% of the Tuesday night vote. Initial results indicate she will be facing off against Republican Dr. Raul Garcia, who so far has tallied 21.2% of the vote, in November.

There were 11 candidates on the primary ballot for the position.

Governor

Attorney General Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, is leading with 45.5% of the Tuesday night vote. Initial results indicate he will be facing off against Republican Dave Reichert, who had tallied 27.9% of the vote.

Only two other candidates in the 28-candidate field garnered substantial support in early returns: controversial Republican Semi Bird, with 9.4% of the early tallies, and Mark Mullet with 5.8%.

Lt. Governor

Democratic incumbent Denny Heck is leading with 48.7% of the Tuesday night vote. Initial results indicate he will be facing off against Republican Dan Matthews, who has received 22.5% of the vote so far, in November.

The only other candidate in the five-way race with a substantial number of votes is Republican Bob Hagglund with 16.7% of the vote.

Attorney General

Republican Pete Serrano was leading the field with 41.85% of the Tuesday night vote. Initial results indicate he will be facing off against Democrat Nick Brown, who so far has tallied 35.9% of the vote.

The only other candidate with a substantial number of votes is Democratic legislator Manka Dhingra was running in third with 22.2% of the vote.

Secretary of State

Democratic incumbent Steve Hobbs is leading the four-candidate field with 49% of the Tuesday night tallies. Initial results indicate he will be running against Republican Dale Whitaker, who has so far tallied 36.8% of the vote.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Incumbent Superintendent Chris Reykdal is leading the four-candidate field with 39.55% of the Tuesday night vote. Initial results indicate he will be facing off against David Olson, who won 31.1% of the vote.

Reid Saaris is running a close third with 23.4% of the initial vote tally.

Insurance Commissioner

Democrat Patty Kuderer is leading the eight-candidate field with 44.8% of the Tuesday night vote. Initial results indicate she will be facing off against Republican Phil Fortunato, who tallied 28% of the initial vote.

U.S. Congressional District 3

Incumbent Democrat Maria Gluesenkamp Perez is leading with 46.9% of the Tuesday night vote. Initial results indicate she will be facing off against far-right Republican Joe Kent, who has so far tallied 38.3% of the vote, in November.

Republican Leslie Lewallen is trailing with 12.43% of the vote.

U.S. Congressional District 3 encompasses southwest Washington, including part of southern Thurston County.

U.S. Congressional District 10 Representative

Incumbent Marilyn Strickland, a Tacoma Democrat, is leading with 54.3% of the Tuesday night vote. Initial results indicate she will be facing off against Republican Don Hewett, who has tallied 27.8% of the vote, in November.

The ballot included seven candidates, but the only other candidate with a substantial number of votes is Nirav Sheth, a Republican, with 11.25% of the vote.

U.S. Congressional District 3 encompasses most of Thurston County and Northwest Pierce County, including part of Tacoma.