Incumbents survive Washington state's first round, but shouldn't get comfortable

STATE lawmakers in swing districts on the Eastside and other suburban areas are up against it in the coming November general election, but the much touted anti-incumbent storm supposedly sweeping the nation did not pounce on Washington state. Not yet anyway.

No incumbent should feel comfortable with primary numbers below 50 percent but Democratic Sen. Patty Murray showed strength in primary returns. The energy is mostly on the Republican side, where Republican Dino Rossi easily bested his main rival, Clint Didier, who should win a prize for his omnipresent yard signs.

In the months ahead, Murray and Rossi should tell us exactly what they will do about issues that nettle Washingtonians; the debt, federal spending, jobs and the economy.

Of all members of Congress, Rep. Rick Larsen in the 2nd District of Northwest Washington could face the tightest race. His opponent, Republican John Koster, is currently a well-respected Snohomish County Council member who has served in the Legislature.

Rep. Dave Reichert, Republican congressman from the 8th District of eastern King and Pierce counties, has stumbled lately. But August voters have yet to notice his Democratic opponent, Suzan DelBene.

The hottest congressional race is in Southwest Washington's 3rd District, where Democrat Denny Heck, the co-founder of TVW and a promising candidate, will face off in November against Republican state Rep. Jaime Herrera. The 3rd is a swing district, with high unemployment; the two were virtually tied.

In Eastside legislative races, incumbents Roger Goodman and Eric Oemig, two Democrats in previous Republican territory, have some explaining to do. Two Republican challengers, Kevin Haistings and Andy Hill, are bearing down.

Money mattered, but did not automatically win. Incumbent Supreme Court Justice Jim Johnson easily defended his seat against Tacoma attorney Stan Rumbaugh. Each raised at least $115,000, but a PAC funded by the Service Employees International Union and the Washington Education Association threw in $256,000 to buy attack ads against Johnson. The nasty ads didn't work.

Attack ads seemed to work better in Snohomish County, where Sen. Jean Berkey, D-Everett, who is backed by a deep bench of business donors, was targeted with $187,000 of opposition spending from a PAC funded by the SEIU, teachers union and environmental groups. At press time, she was running slightly behind their candidate, Democrat Nick Harper. Under the state's top-two system, both could advance to the November ballot.

The other attack-ad hit in Snohomish County, against Sen. Steve Hobbs, Democrat, was less successful. Hobbs appeared to clear the primary, beating his Democratic challenger, Lillian Kaufer.

Voters are in a testy mood, sure, but not ready to throw out so many familiar faces.