Primary hints at tough Eastside races

Results from Tuesday's top-two primary showed little in the way of an anti-establishment mood among Eastsiders, as all but one incumbent from the region was in first place at the Reporter deadline Wednesday.

However, the election did come with slight signs for concern, particularly in the federal races.

Neither of the incumbents in those contests took 50 percent of the vote, and that is generally an indication of voter discontent.

Republican Congressman Dave Reichert managed only 47 percent of the vote in his 8th Congressional District race, while Sen. Patty Murray, a Democrat, pulled in just 46 percent.

Reichert can take some comfort in the fact that he led Democratic challenger Suzan DelBene, the second-place winner, by a 20-percent margin.

Murray, on the other hand, led Republican Dino Rossi by 12 percent.

Both of those races were crowded with challengers from the non-incumbent party.

Rossi took second place in the U.S. Senate primary with 34 percent of the vote, besting Sarah Palin-backed Republican Clint Didier, who had just 12 percent.

Only one incumbent in the state legislative races, Democratic state senator Randy Gordon of Bellevue and the 41st Legislative District, failed to take the lead by Wednesday.

Gordon trailed Republican challenger Steve Litzow 50.38 percent to 49.62 percent – a difference of 188 votes – at the Reporter deadline.

The next closest race was in the 41st Legislative District, where Rep. Marcie Maxwell, a Democrat, led Republican Peter Dunbar 52 percent to 48 percent.

Rep. Ross Hunter, a Medina Democrat from the 48th Legislative District, led Republican challenger Diane Tebelius 55 percent to 45 percent.

Sen. Rodney Tom, a one-time Republican turned Democrat from Medina and the 48th Legislative District, led GOP challenger Gregg Bennett 52 percent to 48 percent.

Democrat Deb Eddy, a representative from Kirkland and the 48th Legislative District, led Republican Philip Wilson 54 percent to 46 percent.

Holding the most comfortable lead on Wednesday was Rep. Judy Clibborn, who held a 17-percent advantage over Republican Stephen Strader.

Contact Bellevue Reporter Staff Writer Joshua Adam Hicks at jhicks@bellevuereporter.com or 425-453-4290.

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