The EPA is reconsidering controversial water quality standards for our state that were adopted late in the Obama Administration. Frequently known as the “fish consumption rule,” the EPA required far more stringent standards than those proposed by state government. Business groups and municipal governments balked at what they called unattainable and expensive standards. The Inslee Administration pretended to protest the EPA’s takeover but now admits it prefers the current rules. (Associated Press)

Even after outside liberal groups dumped buckets of money into the race, Senator Mark Miloscia (R-Federal Way) leads the nearest Democrat by 10 points. Senate Democrats have pegged the 30^th Legislative District as a top target for expanding their majority, but party-switcher Miloscia performed very well. Later ballots could put Miloscia over the 50% mark. (Secretary of State’s Office)

With multiple accusations of inappropriate behavior, legislative sanctions, and opposition from his own party hanging over him, state Rep. David Sawyer (D-Tacoma) got the primary result you might expect. Sawyer now trails the top Republican candidate by 330 votes in the battle for second in the Democratic-leaning district. Later ballots are trending against him, so he is unlikely to advance to the general. Democratic challenger Melanie Morgan is far ahead with 41.2% of the primary vote to Sawyer’s 22.5%. (Tacoma News Tribune)

Two longtime Clark County politicos won’t move on to the county council general election. Current council chair Marc Boldt, who served as a county commissioner before Clark County’s recent change to a county council, is in third in his re-election race. Former Democratic state representative Jim Moeller is also in third in his bid to join the five-member council. (Vancouver Columbian)

Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist (D) had a pretty rough primary showing. After three days of counting, challenger Mary Robnett leads by 11.5 points. Robnett, who is running as a non-partisan, is promising to get politics out of the Prosecutor’s Office. (Tacoma News Tribune)

The Wenatchee City Council voted yesterday to switch to a district-based voting system. Currently all seven councilmembers are elected citywide. Under the new system, five council seats will be district-based and the other two will be at-large. The move is in response to the state’s new Voting Rights Act, which requires district elections in local governments with high minority populations.(Wenatchee World)

The contentious race for Spokane County Sheriff is not even close. Incumbent Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich (R) is garnering 85.9% in the latest primary count against fringe-right candidate Scott McClay, who legally changed his name to Dumpozzie Dot Com to run against Knezovich. McClay/Dot Com is polling 12.2%. (Spokane County Auditor)

Do you like The Morning Briefing? Forward this to a friend! It helps us grow our community and serve you better.

If you feel we missed something that should be covered, email us at [email protected].

If you don’t want to receive this email each morning, click here to opt-out of The Morning Briefing.