Aug. 16, 2024
WAMPAC Update: Primary Election Rundown
The 2024 election cycle has already taken numerous twists and turns, but with last Tuesday's primary election votes (mostly) counted, we now have a better sense of where things are headed at the state level.
The short version: Democrats appear poised to maintain their strong control of all levers of power in the state, potentially adding to their majorities in the state Legislature. And there will be a lot of new faces in Olympia when the 2025 session convenes in January, with a new governor, attorney general, insurance commissioner, and around 25 new lawmakers in the state Legislature. Read on for updates on key races.
- Federal
- Rep. Kim Schrier, MD, looks to be in a strong position to win her third reelection campaign in the 8thCongressional District.
- Two incumbents will face tough general election challenges against familiar faces, with Democrat Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez facing Republican Joe Kent in the Clark County 3rd Congressional District, and Rep. Dan Newhouse squaring off against fellow Republican Jerrod Sessler in the 4th Congressional District - both rematches of 2022 races.
- In the two congressional open-seat races, Democratic state Sen. Emily Randall appears to be the favorite to replace Rep. Derek Kilmer in the 6th Congressional District, and Republican Spokane County Treasurer (and former state senator) Michael Baumgartner is on track to replace Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers in the 5th Congressional District.
- Elsewhere, incumbents will likely return to Washington, D.C., including Democratic U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, who will be challenged in the general election by Republican Raul Garcia, DO, who garnered 21% of the vote in the primary.
- Statewide
- Democratic Attorney General Bob Ferguson is the favorite to be the state's next governor, replacing Gov. Jay Inslee who has occupied the seat for 12 years. In the general election, Ferguson will face Republican former Rep. Dave Reichert, who garnered 28% of the primary vote.
- Democratic state Sen. Patty Kuderer is the strong favorite to be the next insurance commissioner, replacing Mike Kreidler, who was elected to the position in 2000.
- The attorney general seat vacated by Ferguson will likely be filled by Democrat Nick Brown, former U.S. attorney and counsel to Gov. Inslee.
- State Legislature
- Democrats appear poised to maintain, if not add to, their strong majorities in Olympia. Since 2019, Democrats have held nearly 60% of the seats in the state Senate and House of Representatives. Based on primary returns, six of the state's 147 legislative seats look to have the potential to flip parties this year, all of which would be potential pick-ups for Democrats, creating the potential for Democrats to hold their widest legislative majorities since 2009, if not the 1990s.
- Physician candidates
- As noted above, Rep. Kim Schrier, MD, appears headed to reelection and Raul Garcia, DO, will advance to the general election against U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell.
- Two Democratic physician candidates for the state Legislature will both advance to the general election, with Pam Kohlmeier, MD, garnering 28% of the vote in her 9th Legislative District campaign, and Linda Gunshefski, MD, netting 34% in the 16th Legislative District.
- Two Democratic physician congressional candidates likely will not advance to the general election, with Bernadine Bank, MD, and Edwin Stickle, DO, trailing in their campaigns in the 5th and 2nd congressional districts, respectively.
WAMPAC staff will be tracking results as votes come in and will be continuing to connect with candidates for office to build relationships for the 2025 legislative session and beyond.
If you're interested in meeting with candidates in your area, it's not too late. Contact WAMPAC Director Alex Wehinger at alex@wsma.org to learn more. And it's never too late to support WAMPAC by making a contribution today!