The first election primary in Washington state under the new pick-a-party system was unpopular with most voters, but the major political parties got what they wanted: general election races pitting candidates with clearly divergent views.

There were no surprises in the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate contests, but Cathy McMorris rode a wave of rural conservative votes to an easy victory over Larry Sheahan and Shaun Cross in the 5th Congressional District race. Voters are now confronted with a choice between a conservative Republican and a Democrat, Don Barbieri, who was once chairman of the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce.

That race raises an interesting prospect. If the new primary system becomes permanent, it could forever change the political dynamic in Eastern Washington: conservative Republicans knocking off moderates in the primary only to be confronted with centrist Democrats in the general election.

One candidate who seemingly got caught in the backlash against the new primary system was Secretary of State Sam Reed, who had to explain the changes to angry voters. He now faces an uphill battle in the general election against Democrat Laura Ruderman, who outpolled him, according to unofficial results. Of course, primary election tallies, always a questionable form of tea leaves, could be even less reliable as voters without strong party loyalty find themselves forced to pick one or another.

While the voting process was new, an old sentiment prevailed. Voters remain distrustful of tax increases and tax reform. Spokane Valley voters defeated a property tax increase that would’ve been earmarked for street improvements. Stevens County voters defeated a sales-tax increase that would’ve financed a new jail and strengthened law enforcement. Ron Sims, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate who ran on a dramatic tax reform platform, was trounced by Christine Gregoire, who advocates the status quo.

Meanwhile, an emergency services levy in Spokane hangs in the balance. The city was seeking to renew the property tax that finances improvements, but as of Wednesday the outcome was too close to call.

Education funding and test scores are sure to be a hot topic in the coming weeks, because Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson is in a virtual dead heat with Judith Billings. Both will advance to the general election. Billings is a critic of the current Washington Assessment of Student Learning regimen and doesn’t think passing the test should be a graduation requirement. The two squared off in 1992, with Billings prevailing in a close race.

Because Congress is so closely divided, we expect national attention and national involvement in the congressional races. We hope this doesn’t usher in the type of dirty politics that often emanates from the national committees. Fighting dirty didn’t work in the attorney general’s race, where Deborah Senn appears headed to victory in the primary despite an egregious ad campaign from an outside group.

Negative campaigning is an appeal to raw emotions, not thoughtful deliberation. We urge voters to defy the scare tactic by decrying the practitioners, by insisting on substantive approaches to serious issues, and by turning out in record numbers in November.