Chief
07-28-2008, 07:17 AM
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/372470_statewide28.html
By RACHEL LA CORTE
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
OLYMPIA – In the handful of statewide primary races that voters will weigh in on next month, there's only one seat where there's even a small bit of mystery.
And that race, to succeed Treasurer Mike Murphy, isn't generating much buzz, even though it's the only race that has potential to be affected by the state's new "top two" primary style.
"Those down-ballot races struggle to get the voters' attention," said independent pollster Stuart Elway.
In the Aug. 19 primary, voters also will pick finalists for governor, Congress, judges and the Legislature. Ballots will be sent to voters starting Aug. 1. All but two counties – King and Pierce – have automatic mail-in voting, and nearly all voters in those two counties vote by mail.
It will be the first time since 2003 that they will be able skip back and forth along party lines as they pick a favorite candidate for each office. The top two finishers will advance to the general election Nov. 4, regardless of party. For partisan races such as the treasurer's race, that means that there's a possibility two Democrats could move forward to the general election in November.
Murphy is stepping down after three terms and crossing party lines to endorse Republican Alan Martin, assistant treasurer.
The two Democrats vying to get through the primary are state Rep. Jim McIntire, chairman of the state forecast panel and former House Finance Committee chairman, and ChangMook Sohn, the state's former chief economist.
Elway said that most voters probably think the office is nonpartisan, or believe it should be. Mix that in with a lack of attention to the race, and voters may skip voting in it. "The fact that it's a top two open seat doesn't raise the excitement," he said.
Voters also will weigh in on lieutenant governor, where incumbent Democrat Brad Owen faces four challengers, and secretary of state, where Republican Sam Reed has three challengers. State Auditor Brian Sonntag and Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler have two challengers.
Terry Bergeson, running for her fourth term as superintendent of public instruction, faces five challengers, but she is expected to advance, along with Randy Dorn, a former legislator and principal who is executive director of the Public Schools Employees of Washington.
Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna faces Democratic challenger John Ladenburg, the current Pierce County executive, and Republican Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland faces Democrat Peter Goldmark, but all four will advance under the top two format.
**SCHNIPP**
I admit to keeping my focus very close to home this year. The widest race that I've had anything to do with is Dino Rossi's race for Governor. Because we have mail-in ballots I don't feel the need to "cram" information so I can make a reasoned decision when I fill out my ballot.
;)
By RACHEL LA CORTE
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
OLYMPIA – In the handful of statewide primary races that voters will weigh in on next month, there's only one seat where there's even a small bit of mystery.
And that race, to succeed Treasurer Mike Murphy, isn't generating much buzz, even though it's the only race that has potential to be affected by the state's new "top two" primary style.
"Those down-ballot races struggle to get the voters' attention," said independent pollster Stuart Elway.
In the Aug. 19 primary, voters also will pick finalists for governor, Congress, judges and the Legislature. Ballots will be sent to voters starting Aug. 1. All but two counties – King and Pierce – have automatic mail-in voting, and nearly all voters in those two counties vote by mail.
It will be the first time since 2003 that they will be able skip back and forth along party lines as they pick a favorite candidate for each office. The top two finishers will advance to the general election Nov. 4, regardless of party. For partisan races such as the treasurer's race, that means that there's a possibility two Democrats could move forward to the general election in November.
Murphy is stepping down after three terms and crossing party lines to endorse Republican Alan Martin, assistant treasurer.
The two Democrats vying to get through the primary are state Rep. Jim McIntire, chairman of the state forecast panel and former House Finance Committee chairman, and ChangMook Sohn, the state's former chief economist.
Elway said that most voters probably think the office is nonpartisan, or believe it should be. Mix that in with a lack of attention to the race, and voters may skip voting in it. "The fact that it's a top two open seat doesn't raise the excitement," he said.
Voters also will weigh in on lieutenant governor, where incumbent Democrat Brad Owen faces four challengers, and secretary of state, where Republican Sam Reed has three challengers. State Auditor Brian Sonntag and Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler have two challengers.
Terry Bergeson, running for her fourth term as superintendent of public instruction, faces five challengers, but she is expected to advance, along with Randy Dorn, a former legislator and principal who is executive director of the Public Schools Employees of Washington.
Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna faces Democratic challenger John Ladenburg, the current Pierce County executive, and Republican Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland faces Democrat Peter Goldmark, but all four will advance under the top two format.
**SCHNIPP**
I admit to keeping my focus very close to home this year. The widest race that I've had anything to do with is Dino Rossi's race for Governor. Because we have mail-in ballots I don't feel the need to "cram" information so I can make a reasoned decision when I fill out my ballot.
;)