Wash. primary results no surprise

Washington's "top two" primary made its debut as voters advanced candidates in dozens of state races.

There weren't any surprises in the early results.

With about 36 percent of the expected vote counted in the gubernatorial race, Gov. Chris Gregoire had about 49 percent of the vote, her Republican challenger Dino Rossi had nearly 45 percent, and both advanced easily to the general election in November.

"I feel good about where we are," Rossi said Tuesday night. "The reality is that less than half the people who are going to show up at the general voted in the primary. The bottom line is this is going to be a sprint to the end."

Gregoire cited the presidential campaign of Barack Obama as something that will help drive even more Democrats to the polls in November, ostensibly helping her campaign.

"I feel momentum is definitely with the Democrats moving to November with Barack Obama at the top of the ticket," she said.

While all eyes were on the governor's race, the race for state treasurer was the only one where there was even a small bit of mystery.

Treasurer Mike Murphy is stepping down after three terms, and crossed party lines to endorse Republican Alan Martin, his top deputy. Martin moved through to the general election with about 44 percent of the vote. Democratic state Rep. Jim McIntire, an economist and former House Finance Committee chairman, also advanced with about 41 percent.

Both edged out Democrat ChangMook Sohn, who was the state's chief economist for more than two decades. Sohn got only about 15 percent.

Voters also advanced Republican Secretary of State Sam Reed and Democrat Jason Osgood to the general election. Reed had 58 percent of the vote in early returns; Osgood had about 34 percent.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson and Randy Dorn also moved on to the November general election.

Bergeson, running for her fourth term, faced five challengers in Tuesday's primary. Dorn, a former legislator, teacher and principal, had about 30 percent of the vote in early returns. With about 20 percent of the expected vote counted, Bergeson had 42 percent.

"It's going to be a tough race, but I felt very honored that people would give me a chance to run for a fourth term," Bergeson said. "I am determined to win and that means I will take nothing for granted, because there's too much at stake here in terms of the future of our schools."

Dorn is executive director of the Public School Employees of Washington, which represents about 26,000 school workers who are not teachers. In addition to that group, he also had the endorsement of the Washington Education Association, the other big school employees union.

"I'm excited about the number of people that voted for a change in Olympia," said Dorn, who has criticized Bergeson over the Washington Assessment of Student Learning and dropout rates. "Over the next few months, we're going to work harder and get our message out to more people."

The top two primary, which voters approved in 2004, was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year. This was the first time since 2003 that Washington voters were able to skip back and forth along party lines to pick a favorite candidate for each office. The top two finishers advance to the general election on Nov. 4, regardless of party.

Reed predicted a 46 percent turnout, and county officials surveyed by The Associated Press supported that forecast. The state's 39 counties' turnout expectations ranged from a low of 35 percent in Adams County to a high of 62 percent in Jefferson County.

If the forecast proved accurate, it would be the highest turnout since 1972, when turnout was more than 49 percent.

"This is such an important election," Reed said. "It's become more important with the top two. If you want your candidate in the general, you can't assume they will be there."

Reed cited the novelty of the new top two system, along with general interest in elections during a presidential and gubernatorial campaign year.

Other races included lieutenant governor, where incumbent Democrat Brad Owen easily advanced with 53 percent of the vote. State Auditor Brian Sonntag and Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, both Democrats, also advanced to the general election. All three face weak opposition in November.

Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna faced Democratic challenger Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg, and Republican Public Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland faced Democrat Peter Goldmark. All four advanced under the top two format, since there weren't any third challengers in either race.

In some legislative races:

-State Senate Budget Chairwoman Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, advanced to the November election with 49 percent of the vote. She will face one of two Democratic opponents - Juan Martinez or Scott McKay - in the race for the 11th District, which includes south Seattle and suburbs. Martinez had 27 percent of the vote in early returns, and McKay had 24 percent.

-Democrats Reuven Carlyle and John Burbank are headed for a general election faceoff, after advancing through the primary. They are vying for the 36th District seat vacated by retiring Rep. Helen Sommers, D-Seattle.

-Democrats Scott White and Gerry Pollet advanced to the general in the race to replace McIntire.

-Democrats Rep. Mary Roberts advanced in the race for the 21st District seat, and will face either Brian Travis or Douglas Kerley, both Republicans, in the general.

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Associated Press writer Curt Woodward contributed to this report.

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On the Net:

Washington state Secretary of State: http://www.secstate.wa.gov