Early results are pouring in from Washington's primary election Tuesday, and established Democrats across the state are seemingly withstanding challenges from p
Early results are pouring in from Washington's primary election Tuesday, and established Democrats across the state are seemingly withstanding challenges from progressive candidates so far.
The ideological split can be seen in races for the Washington State Legislature, as well as some of the contests for the state's ten congressional districts.
But while far-left progressives may be outperforming veteran, Democratic officeholders in other states, that trend has not manifested in Washington, where the state's Democratic Party tends to be fairly progressive overall.
"I also think the top-two election system that we have here in Washington tends to privilege or advantage somewhat more moderate candidates, or at least candidates who are better able to reach out to the middle," said Patrick Schoettmer, a political science professor at Seattle University.
Washington’s primary system advances the top two finishers in each race, regardless of party, making it possible for two Democrats or two candidates from the political left to meet again in November.
The race for the state's 9th Congressional District puts this ideological split on full display. Former Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant has tried turning her movement-based, independent socialist campaign into a direct challenge against longtime Democratic Rep. Adam Smith. But Sawant earned only 13% of the vote, per early results, and Smith appears poised to face off with Republican Doug Basler in November instead.
This also rang true for Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's first endorsements since taking office. Wilson endorsed Hannah Sabio-Howell in the 43rd Legislative District Senate race against Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen. She also backed Ron Davis in the 46th District House race against longtime state Rep. Gerry Pollet.
Neither Sabio-Howell nor Davis secured more than 20% of the vote on Tuesday's Election Night. Veteran Democrat Pedersen will seemingly sail to November with 71% of early votes, and Pollet hauled in a strong 54.3% of the first night's vote tally.
"I think we're seeing from these early tests that Wilson may not have as much political capital operating in the Seattle political system or the King County political system as she thought she necessarily had," Schoettmer said.
As for building political capital for any future endorsements from Wilson, Schoettmer believes she should focus on securing more policy wins in Seattle first.
"If she's able to build up more political credibility with the broader electorate, which will help if you have a more progressive council, then she'll be able to have a greater impact in the endorsement game," he explained.
A more progressive council is growing likely, per early results in the four-person race for Seattle City Council's District 5 seat. Debora Juarez, who currently holds the north Seattle seat, is not seeking reelection.
Nilu Jenks, Julie Kang, Dimitri Georgakopoulos, and Silas James are running for the open seat. Jenks has emerged as the front-runner after securing 50% of the early vote tally. She's ahead of Julie Kang, who took 36%.
With an ideological split present once again, Jenks has positioned herself in the progressive lane, emphasizing affordable housing and climate policy. Later in her campaign, Jenks has said tackling gun violence along Aurora Avenue and bringing a grocery store back to Lake City are two of her main priorities.
"I live in Lake City myself, where we experience gun violence, a spree shooting right in front of my home," Jenks told KOMO News on Election Night. "District 5 has been neglected this whole time."
A win for Jenks would secure a progressive stronghold on Seattle City Council, after a large shift to the center merely three years ago. This is likely the result of thermostatic voting, or voters reacting to the status quo, Schoettmer explained.
"People go from one side to the other because they're not able to find a council that's really able to effectively do what they want to do," he added.
Meanwhile, also in Seattle, a seven-year levy to raise nearly $480 million for the Seattle Public Library has overwhelming early support. The measure would fund library hours, collections, technology, building maintenance, programming and administrative costs. It would add approximately 23 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. Supporters estimate it would cost the average homeowner roughly $9 more per month than the expiring levy.
It's a price some regular library patrons say they're willing to pay.
"It's more important than ever to have equitable access to information, and the libraries have really adapted to so many ways we get information," said Tina Rogers of Seattle. "I know how costly it is to keep up old buildings, and even this building is starting to show its age."
As more results come in, King County's Elections Director said their office expects to have most ballots counted by the end of the week.
