Washington 2020 August Primary Election Results: Governor's Race

SEATTLE, WA — Seeking a third term in office, Gov. Jay Inslee will advance to the general election in November and face Republican challenger Loren Culp, the police chief of Republic, the Associated Press projects. The governor faced 35 candidates in the primary.

After the second batch of results Wednesday afternoon, more than 560,000 ballots still need to be tallied throughout the state. Results are updated daily until the election is certified.

The state's top-two primary system means the two candidates with the highest number of votes move on to November's general election, regardless of their party affiliation. This year, several of the state's top jobs are on the ballot, including the governor, attorney general and secretary of state.

Washington has no term limits, but the last governor to serve three terms was Dan Evans, a Republican who left office in 1977. In the first ballot drop Tuesday night, Inslee had support from nearly 52 percent of voters statewide.

Besides Culp, the other top Republican candidates facing Inslee in the primary were Joshua Freed, a former mayor of Bothell; Tim Eyman, an anti-tax activist; Raul Garcia, a physician from Yakima; and Phil Fortunato, a long-time state senator from Auburn.

2020 Primary Election Statewide Results: Governor (AP projects Inslee, Culp will advance)

According to state data, 34.3 percent of registered voters returned their ballots prior to election day, putting the state in position to easily surpass voter participation in the 2016 primary.

In Washington, ballots are tabulated each day following the election, and percentages will continue to change in the days ahead. Results are final upon certification by the Secretary of State's office, due by Friday, Aug. 21.

All 10 of Washington's seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election, including one being vacated by Rep. Denny Heck, who is running for Lt. Governor. Cyrus Habib, the current Lt. Governor, did not seek re-election and will leave office to join the Jesuit order.

In the state legislature, all 98 seats in the House and 26 in the Senate are on the ballot. Right now, Democrats hold a majority in both chambers.

Other 2020 primary coverage from Patch:

• King County 2020 August Primary: Congressional Election Results
• Pierce County 2020 August Primary Congressional Election Results
• Washington 2020 Primary Election Results: Secretary of State
• Washington 2020 August Primary Election: Lt. Governor Results

View all statewide results, or narrow by county:

• Statewide results
• King County
• Pierce County
• Snohomish County