In early returns, incumbent U.S. 9th District Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) led all challengers with over 60 percent of the vote in Primary election night returns, according to the Secretary of State's office and King County Elections results.
The U.S. 9th District's early returns showed Smith leading by nearly 30 percentage points over his nearest competitor, Republican Jim Postma, a margin of over 24,000 votes as of 8:55 p.m. Tuesday night.
“I am pleased with tonight’s results and I am confident moving forward," said Smith in an election night press release. "I will continue to campaign hard for the November general election and to continue to serve the people of the 9th district. If elected to serve another term in Congress, my number one priority will be creating jobs and growing our economy. We must focus on growing the middle class and ensuring equal opportunity for all ... I remain committed to working hard each and every day for the individuals and families, of the 9th Congressional District”
The newly redistricted U.S. 9th District now runs from Tacoma north to Seattle and east to Bellevue and Mercer Island, and straddles both King and Pierce counties. Mercer Island was formerly in the U.S. 8th District, represented by Republican Dave Reichert.
The state has a top-two primary system, which means the three other candidates in the race who finished behind Smith and Postma — Tom Cramer, Dave Cristie and John Orlinski — are eliminated from the general election — regardless of party affiliation.
Elsewhere in federal election races, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Democrat, had gathered 52.2 percent of the vote. Her challenger likely will be Republican state Sen. Michael Baumgartner who had pulled in 32.6 percent of the ballots counted as of 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday night.
Washington Secretary of State Results 8:45 p.m.
U.S. 9th District County Results & Map CandidateVoteVote % Adam Smith (Prefers Democratic Party) 39,98960.55% Jim Postma (Prefers Republican Party) 14,792 22.97% Tom Cramer (Prefers Democratic Party) 4,742 7.36% Dave Christie (Prefers F.D.R. Democrat Party) 2,106 3.27% John Orlinski (Prefers Republican Party) 3,763 5.84% Total Votes 64,392 100%
U.S. Senator County Results & Map CandidateVoteVote % Michael Baumgartner(Prefers Republican Party) 241,350 30.24% Will Baker(Prefers Reform Party) 9,932 1.24% Chuck Jackson(Prefers Republican Party) 16,454 2.06% Timmy (Doc) Wilson(Prefers Democratic Party) 20,817 2.61% Art Coday(Prefers Republican Party) 35,711 4.47% Maria Cantwell(Prefers Democratic Party) 445,161 55.77% Glen (Stocky) R. Stockwell(Prefers Republican Party) 16,120 2.02% Mike the Mover(Prefers Republican Party) 12,620 1.58% Total Votes 798,165 100%
