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'We got shellacked' and other primary election results

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 7 – Pramila Jayapal & undetermined (Brady Walkinshaw & Joe McDermott in dead heat)

I-123 (ELEVATED PARK ALONG SEATTLE WATERFRONT) – Losing (81 percent opposed)

PROP. 1 (AFFORDABLE HOUSING LEVY) – Yes (68 percent in favor)

“We got shellacked.”

That was Kate Martin, the main booster for Initiative 123, the bid for an elevated park on the waterfront.

Martin was at her Phinney Ridge home on Tuesday night when the election results landed, showing 81 percent opposed to her idea. Joining her were four reporters, four supporters and one cat. (Approximately.)

Nearby at Hale’s Ales in Ballard, state Sen. Pramila Jayapal was jubilant to learn she was leading the pack to replace Jim McDermott in the U.S. House. (“Congressman for life,” as he was called. Also, less favorably, “Baghdad Jim.”)

Jayapal was winning 38 percent of the vote statewide in the first results. King County Councilmember Joe McDermott (no relation to Jim) and state Rep. Brady Walkinshaw were in a dead heat for second.

Jayapal said she didn’t know who she’d be up against in the general election.

King5 was running Jayapal’s speech as Walkinshaw walked into the Comet Tavern on Capitol Hill. The crowd yelled, “Brady, Brady!” to drown out the TV.

Candidates had wondered if Joe McDermott’s name recognition would help him out – not because his name was known, but because voters might confuse him with the incumbent. It’s still unclear whether sharing a last name with Jim played a role in this election.

Around the corner at Optimism Brewing, a young and happy crowd cheered upon learning the affordable housing levy was passing.

ALSO:

In the Washington governor's race, incumbent Jay Inslee (D) has 49 percent to challenger Bill Bryant's (R) 38 percent.

Early results give Marty McClendon (R) and Cyrus Habib (D) the top two slots in the lieutenant governor’s race.

Kim Wyman, incumbent secretary of state, is the only Republican state office holder. She and Tina Podlodowski advance to the general – but it's close. Wyman got 48 percent of the vote; Podlodowski got 46 percent.

In the 5th Congressional District, Cathy McMorris Rodgers has about a 9 point lead over Joe Pakootas so far. Tight margin for an incumbent. Still just a snapshot.

Other congressional incumbents also sailed through to the general election in November.

GOP state Sen. Mark Miloscia and Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy, a Democrat, hold the top two slots in the race for the open state auditor's seat. (They’re replacing Troy Kelley, the auditor mired in scandal.)

Two Republicans, Duane Davidson and Michael Waite, have the top two slots in the open state treasurer race.

Despite the many open seats, turnout was lackluster for this August primary, just eclipsing 20 percent Tuesday, according to Secretary of State's office.

– Joshua McNichols, Natalie Newcomb, Amy Radil, John Ryan, Deborah Wang contributed reporting.

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