Washington State Political Races Starting to Heat Up

Olympia, Wash. (ap) - Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna and Democratic former U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee will face each other on the November ballot for governor after easily advancing through Washington state's top two primary. under the state's "top two" primary system, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party.

In other election news, Longtime incumbent Lt. Governor Brad Owen and Republican Bill Finkbeiner have advanced to the fall election. The democrat Owen, who has served 16 years, garnered the majority of the votes following early vote counts. Along with presiding over the senate, which is the most visible part of the job, the lieutenant governor is in command when the governor is out of state.

Republican Reagan Dunn and Democrat Bob Ferguson have advanced to the November election in the attorney general's race. Unofficial results from yesterday's primary showed both men garnering enough votes to move on in Washington's top two system. Dunn and Ferguson are both King County council members.

Republican Kim Wyman has advanced to the fall election in the secretary of state's race, where she'll likely meet Democrat Kathleen drew. Wyman, Thurston County's auditor since 2001, was garnering the most votes in early returns in Tuesday's primary. Drew is a former state senator.  She was receiving the second-most votes.

Stories from Associated Press