Wash. voters weigh several statewide races

With all the excitement over the presidential and governor's race, it's easy for those down-the-ballot races to get lost in the buzz.

But whether they know it or not, voters will be weighing in on several statewide races, including lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and state auditor.

And voters may be relying on mostly on name recognition, meaning that in most cases, incumbents will have the clear advantage.

Voters "probably don't even know what the duties of the job are," said Todd Donovan, a political scientist at Western Washington University. "It gives some considerable power to the incumbents."

And polling seems to back that up.

According to the most recent poll by independent pollster Stuart Elway, incumbents in statewide races were leading, and leading significantly, in all races except for lands commissioner and superintendent of public instruction. The race for state treasurer is the only open seat where there is not an incumbent.

But that same poll also shows a large number of voters - ranging from 29 percent to 52 percent, depending on the race - are still undecided less than two months from the election.

That large swath of apathy could translate into voters deciding to skip voting on those races altogether.

"You'll see a lot of people probably dropping off," Donovan said. "They'll vote at the top of the ballot and be less likely to even look at those other races."

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: Democratic Lt. Gov. Brad Owen faces Seattle Republican Marcia McCraw. Owen, who has been lieutenant governor since 1997, came out of the primary with 52 percent of the vote. McCraw, an attorney, had just 26 percent. The recent Elway poll shows Owen with 47 percent of the vote, with 32 percent of voters undecided. Owen says he is a strong advocate for economic development, and has made substance abuse prevention and child welfare a top priority in his office. McCraw says she will support open and transparent government.

ATTORNEY GENERAL: Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna faces Democratic challenger John Ladenburg, the current Pierce County Executive. McKenna got 57 percent of the vote in the primary, and recent polling has him ahead with 42 percent of the vote, with 29 percent undecided. McKenna touts his battles against methamphetamine, consumer fraud, sex crimes, government secrecy and corporate misdeeds, saying he's made clear progress since winning his first term. Ladenburg says he would operate a much more aggressive, activist attorney general's office.

LANDS COMMISSIONER: Republican Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland faces Democrat Peter Goldmark. Both emerged from the primary within points of each other, with Sutherland getting 51 percent of the vote and Goldmark getting 49 percent. Recent polling shows it's still tight, with Goldmark ahead of Sutherland 33-31, with 36 percent of voters undecided. Sutherland says he has helped improve the agency, preserving wildlife habitat and clean water while at the same time raising the annual timber harvest. Goldmark says he will work for sustainable forest management and address climate change.

TREASURER: This is the only open statewide seat, as Democrat Mike Murphy steps down after three years. Murphy crossed party lines to endorse Republican Allan Martin, who is assistant treasurer. Also vying for job is state Rep. Jim McIntire, chairman of the state forecast panel and former House Finance Committee chairman. Martin and McIntire advanced through August's top two primary with solid percentages. Martin received 45 percent of the vote. McIntire received 39 percent. Polling shows McIntire with a 35-20 lead, with 45 percent of polled voters undecided. Martin says that as assistant state treasurer, he has on-the-job experience of running the office that manages and invests the state's tax dollars. McIntire, who is a private economic business consultant, says that the state needs to develop a long-term plan on how to finance major projects like schools, transportation systems, and local infrastructure.

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION: Terry Bergeson, running for her fourth term as superintendent of public instruction, along with Randy Dorn, a former legislator, teacher and principal, who is executive director of the Public Schools Employees of Washington. Dorn is promising to replace the Washington Assessment of Student Learning and replace the education department's upper management if he is elected. Bergeson says her top priority is fixing the way the state pays for education and supporting struggling students to meet higher standards. Bergeson came out of the primary with 39 percent of the vote; Dorn was not far behind with 34 percent. The most recent polling shows Dorn ahead, 28-21 percent, with 52 percent of voters undecided.

SECRETARY OF STATE: Republican Secretary of State Sam Reed has been in office eight years, and came out of the August primary with 59 percent of the vote. His Democratic challenger, Jason Osgood, had 32 percent. Recent polling shows Reed leading 41-28 percent, with 31 percent of voters undecided. Reed has overseen significant election reform in the state following the contested governor's race in 2004. Osgood's platform is to promote open government, ensure accurate vote counts and protect voter access and privacy. Reed wants to bring more transparency to state government, deliver more useful election information to voters, and provide better access to the state's history and heritage.

AUDITOR: Democratic State auditor Brian Sonntag faces Republican Dick McEntee. Sonntag has been auditor since 1994 and came out of the primary with 59 percent of the vote. McEntee is vice president of an Edmonds-based investment advisory firm. Sonntag is leading in recent polls 47-21 percent, with 32 percent of voters undecided.

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER: Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is seeking his third term, and faces Republican John Adams. Kreidler emerged from the primary with 54 percent of the vote, and was leading in recent polls 40-22 percent over Adams, who owns a Seattle-based insurance brokerage firm.

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On the Net:

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