Election Center
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It’s a big day for incumbents
Incumbents representing Washington and Eastern Washington in Congress advanced easily in Tuesday’s primary to the general election, but their November opponents say they’re confident that the races aren’t over. U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, won 54 percent of the vote in a four-way primary race to retain her seat representing Washington’s 5th Congressional District. She will face Democrat Rich Cowan, the founder of North by Northwest Productions, who took 35 percent of the vote. McMorris Rodgers and Cowan eliminated two long-shot candidates.
Frontrunners secure November ballot positions
Republican gubernatorial hopeful Rob McKenna will carry a slight advantage over Democrat Jay Inslee as the two frontrunners easily advance through a crowded primary field to their expected November face off.
Spokane bishop urges ‘no’ on R-74
Spokane’s Catholic bishop is urging members of his diocese to vote against the same-sex marriage law that will appear on the Nov. 6 ballot. In a letter to parishioners available at weekend services, the Rev. Blase Cupich contends that if Referendum 74 passes, it will redefine marriage and create “a major shift in an institution that serves as the foundation stone of society.” He called same-sex marriage a passionate issue and called for respectful debate that would “generate light rather than heat.”
Voter choices abundant on lengthy primary ballot
Washington’s Aug. 7 primary offers voters a long ballot, with some familiar names and even more that most won’t recognize. All voters have nine choices for governor, eight for U.S. senator, seven for secretary of state, six for lieutenant governor and five for state schools superintendent. Some have only one choice for legislative seats held by well-funded incumbents.
McKenna lays out schools plan
Washington could spend more money on its public schools and colleges by limiting the growth in other state expenses and changing the way some property taxes are collected, a gubernatorial candidate said Tuesday. Republican hopeful Rob McKenna released new details of his plans to increase spending on education, with an extra $1.25 billion for public schools and $437 million for colleges in the first two years of his tenure if he wins the Nov. 6 election.