The initial results of the 2024 Washington State primary elections are in, please note that these are not the final percentages and only the final two candidates are listed in races with multiple candidates running. Statewide races thus far:

• Governor: Democrat Bob Ferguson and Republican Dave Reichert will advance to the general election in November. Ferguson has received 45.5% of the vote, while Reichert secured 27.9%​.
• Lieutenant Governor: Democrat Denny Heck, the two term incumbent gained 48.7% of the votes, while the second-place finisher appears to be Republican Dan Matthews with 22.5%.
• Attorney General: Republican Pete Serrano led with 42% of the initial votes, with Democratic revival Nick Brown coming in at 36%.
• Secretary of State: Democratic Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, in office since 2021, was leading the race with 49% of the votes. Republican Dale Whitaker, who received 36.8%, will likely be his challenger in November.
• State Insurance Commissioner: Patty Kuderer has claimed about 44.8% of votes, with Republican state Sen. Phil Fortunato coming in second with nearly 28%.
• State Treasurer: Democratic incumbent Mike Pellicciotti has secured 58.7% of the votes, while Republican Sharon Hanek has around 41.3%.
• State Auditor: Democrat incumbent Pat McCarthy had 59.2% of the vote while Republican challenger, Matt Hawkins, gained 40.8%.

And U.S. Congressional races thus far (only the likely final two candidates are listed, except where the race is too close to call):

U.S. Senate:

• Maria Cantwell (D): 57.8%
• Raul Garcia (R): 21.2%

Washington’s 1st Congressional District:

• Suzan DelBene (D): 63.9%
• Orion Webster (R): 9.8%
• Jeb Brewer (R): 9.4%

Washington’s 2nd Congressional District:

• Rick Larsen (D): 50.4%
• Cody Hart (R): 19.4%

Washington’s 3rd Congressional District:

• Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D): 46.9%
• Joe Kent (R): 38.3%

Washington’s 4th Congressional District:

• Jared Sessler (R): 29.8%
• Dan Newhouse (R): 25%

Washington’s 5th Congressional District:

• Michael Baumgartner (R): 28.1%
• Carmela Conroy (D): 19.7%

Washington’s 6th Congressional District:

• Emily Randall (D): 33.3%
• Drew MacEwen (R): 30.5%

Washington’s 7th Congressional District:

• Pramila Jayapal (D): 78.4%
• Dan Alexander (R): 8.8%

Washington’s 8th Congressional District:

• Kim Schrier (D): 51.5%
• Carmen Goers (R): 44.3%

Washington’s 9th Congressional District:

• Adam Smith (D): 55.6%
• Paul Martin (R): 18.9%

Washington’s 10th Congressional District:

• Marilyn Strickland (D): 54.3%
• Don Hewett (R): 27.8%

Seattle and King County government workers will need to start returning to the office more often – like so many private sector workers. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced that starting Nov. 4, executive branch employees will work in-person three days a week to help downtown recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. This change affects about 13,300 of the city’s 14,000 employees. King County is also implementing a similar policy this fall, with department directors leading the charge in November and plans for increased on-site schedules by January 2025. Currently, over three-quarters of King County employees already work on-site daily. Seattle began requiring at least two days of in-office work in 2022, seeing benefits like improved collaboration and community building – something one would hope for given these employees are funded by taxpayer dollars. Sound Transit Interim CEO Goran Sparrman supports this shift to bolster downtown Seattle’s recovery and, no doubt, in hopes of bolstering the use of public transportation. The downtown area is seeing an increase in daily workers, averaging 93,000, the highest since March 2020 but still only 58% of June 2019 levels. Read more at Center Square.

In the latest consequences of gross mishandling of wildfires and forest management, 750 personnel are still battling the Pioneer Fire near Lake Chelan after two months. As of Tuesday morning, the Pioneer Fire had grown to 36,763 acres with only 12% containment, compared to 33,000 acres and 15% containment the week before. Northerly winds are expected to complicate firefighting efforts, increasing risks of tree torching and uphill fire runs.

Smaller fires around Stehekin and Lake Chelan are also being monitored, though they are currently inaccessible due to steep terrain and pose no immediate threat to residents. Fire crews are working to establish fire lines to prevent these smaller fires from merging into a larger complex.

The Pioneer Fire has damaged one structure and threatens hundreds of residences, prompting Chelan County to issue various evacuation levels. Full containment of the Pioneer Fire is not expected until Halloween, as it burns through areas affected by past wildfires. With temperatures forecasted to remain in the 90s, conditions are expected to be hot, dry, and unstable. Read more at Center Square.

Well, well, well, if it isn’t the consequences of far-left Democrats’ anti-business, tax-and-spend agenda. Seattle’s budget outlook is worsening, with a projected deficit rising to over $260 million in 2025. The city’s economic growth lags behind the national average, with stagnant employment and decreasing demand for office space dragging down revenue from commercial and sales taxes. A temporary reprieve comes from the payroll tax on large businesses, expected to raise up to $430 million next year, but this revenue source is volatile and unreliable for long-term stability. Afterall, many businesses have already decided to pack up and leave Seattle due to unsustainable anti-business regulations and rising crime.

Even the optimistic payroll tax forecast won’t fully bridge the gap, leading to inevitable budget cuts – something any reasonable person could have predicted given Seattle’s record of out-of-control spending. Mayor Bruce Harrell has already asked departments to prepare for reductions of up to 40%. The city’s financial health remains precarious, depending heavily on future economic improvements which will only come if leaders are willing to reverse course – and no one is holding their breath for that to happen anytime soon. Read more at the Seattle Times.

Have you subscribed to the new Shift WA podcast yet? We’ve already released three full episodes, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive:

• Episode 1:We called in Amy Harris from Red Strategies to discuss the ins and outs of campaign finance. We cover everything from the importance of funding to the challenges of small-dollar donations and those pesky fundraising texts.
• Episode 2: Raul Garcia joined us during his Freedom From Fentanyl Walk, sharing his family’s personal battle with addiction and discussing broader strategies to tackle this crisis. His firsthand experience is both inspiring and urgent.
• Episode 3:Michael Baumgartner spoke candidly about his run for Washington’s 5th congressional district, touching on key issues like the fentanyl crisis, border security, and even the complexities of the Jones Act.

Subscribe now and don’t miss out on these critical discussions!

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