Morning update: Gregoire, Minnick still ahead
Chris Gregoire is increasing her lead in Washington's governor's race, both in terms of percentages and total votes.
As the Inland Northwest pauses for its morning coffee break:
Gregoire has 53.5 percent of the vote to Dino Rossi's 46.5 percent. She's ahead by about 114,000 votes, and leads in every county around the Puget Sound, plus Spokane and Clark counties. He has not conceded, but she has claimed victory.
Closer races statewide include lands commissioner, where Democratic challenger Peter Goldmark has a 16,500-vote lead over Republican incumbent Doug Sutherland; state school superintendent, where challenger Randy Dorn has a 22,000-vote lead over incumbent Terry Bergeson; state treasurer, where Democrat Jim McIntire has a 60,000-vote lead over Republican Allan Martin. The other statewide races are pretty much blowouts for the incumbents. Check out the numbers here.
In Idaho, the close race is in the 1st Congressional District, which includes the Panhandle. Democratic challenger Walt Minnick leades freshman Republican Bill Sali by about 3,600 votes after a night when the totals have see-sawed.
For other Idaho races, go inside the blog: