All this time, I have been expecting Susan Hutchison to become the next King County executive. She may still accomplish that, but a new poll is suggests maybe not. The poll has Dow Constantine ahead by 13 points among likely voters, with many voters in the suburbs still trying to make up their minds.
If the poll is correct, Dow Constantine may have Referendum 71 to thank.
Referendum 71 is a misguided attempt to undo legislation expanding the rights of domestic partners. Oddly, voters should say yes, the measure should be "approved'' because the referendum affirms the earlier-passed law.
The Washington Poll doesn't direclty link Constantine and Referendum 71, but Constantine's strength in the poll among Seattle voters would clearly be enhanced by a highly organized group of people voting FOR Referendum 71.
Hutchison wisely said she supports R-71 as does Constantine, but voters know she has strong Republican ties. Constantine is the obvious Democrat in the newly nonpartisan race.

The poll shows many undecided voters in the suburbs, where Hutchison fares well. If she doesn't convert those undecided voters to supporters, that is, if they skip the election or lean a bit toward Constantine, he may win.
The director of the academic nonpartisan survey, Associate Political Science Professor Matt Barreto, said Constantine may also get a lift from the high-profile Seattle mayor's race. That contest may give Seattle voters more than their one-third share of the county vote.
The spending and organization of R-71 could fuel down-ballot liberal causes and turn into Dow Constantine's best pal.