Tuesday’s Primary election looks to be a preview of what voters here can expect in November: incumbents returning to office in the 9th Congressional District and the 41st and 48th legislative districts.

All the incumbents have, or should have, the needed 50 percent of the votes.

However, that shouldn’t lessen voters’ interest; it is a presidential election year, which would bring people out in droves. A number of state issues also should provide a big motivation to vote.

As for the Primary, Bellevue found itself in a new congressional district for this election – the 9th. And Primary votes make it likely that come January, residents here will be represented by a Democrat instead of a Republican. Adam Smith got 61 percent of the vote, easily outpacing Jim Postma, his Republican challenger, who has 23 percent.

Incumbents also seem to be unbeatable in the 41st and 48th legislative districts.

In the 41st, incumbent Steve Litzow has more than 57 percent of the vote in the race for state Senate. In the House, Marcie Maxwell received 56 percent of the vote for Position 1. In Position2, Judy Clibborn was unchallenged. Unless Litzow or Maxwell do something to turn off their supporters, they will be back in Olympia in January.

In the 48th District, Democrat Ross Hunter has 68 percent of the votes in the Position 1 race, far above his challenger Republican Bill Hirt.

The race for Position 2 doesn’t have an incumbent as Rep. Deb Eddy chose not to run again. Democrat Cyrus Habib garnered 56 percent of the vote Tuesday to Republican Hank Myers’ 44 percent.

The race for Congress in the 8th District – Bellevue’s previous district – looks essentially decided. Republican Dave Reichert got 48 percent of the vote, significantly more than Republican Karen Porterfield’s 32 percent. If he picks up the votes from two other Republicans, which is likely, he’ll have more than enough for reelection.

– Craig Groshasrt, Bellevue Reporter