WA primary may offer hints at mood of voters this year

Washington state's August primary is next week. All state House members and about half of state Senators are up for election. Democrats currently control both chambers.

The results of the primary could provide some clues as to the mood of voters this year.

Big picture: I’m going to be watching how incumbents perform — especially Democrats up against their Republican challengers in this primary. I see the primary as sort of a snapshot poll to see how vulnerable or weakened Democrats seem to be heading into November. The Republicans have really been pounding them on crime and public safety issues — is that having an impact?

Most legislative seats are fairly safe. Some of the more competitive match ups are in Whatcom County, in the district that includes Whidbey Island, on the Kitsap Peninsula, and in south King County.

Republicans are also making a push in some of the suburban districts around Seattle where they haven’t fared well in recent years.