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All 9 Statewide Executive Offices | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Washington |
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Washington has 9 Executive seats, all elected at large. In 2008, all 9 positions were up for reelection. As of 2022 [update] , this was the last set of statewide elections in Washington in which any Republicans won by double digits.
Incumbent Democratic governor Christine Gregoire ran for re-election, defeating Republican nominee Dino Rossi. In contrast to the previous election, where Gregoire narrowly defeated Rossi by only 129 votes, Gregoire won by 6.5%.
| Primary election | ||||
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| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Christine Gregoire | 696,306 | 48.27 | |
| Republican | Dino Rossi | 668,571 | 46.35 | |
| Republican | John W. Aiken, Jr. | 21,564 | 1.49 | |
| Democratic | Christian Joubert | 16,646 | 1.15 | |
| Independent | James White | 10,884 | 0.75 | |
| Green | Duff Badgley | 9,702 | 0.67 | |
| Nonpartisan | Christopher Tudor | 5,600 | 0.39 | |
| Reform | Will Baker | 5,201 | 0.36 | |
| Republican | Javier O. Lopez | 4,981 | 0.35 | |
| Nonpartisan | Mohammad Hasan Said | 3,002 | 0.21 | |
| Total votes | 1,442,457 | 100.00 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Christine Gregoire (incumbent) | 1,598,738 | 53.00 | |
| Republican | Dino Rossi | 1,404,124 | 46.55 | |
| Write-in | 13,502 | 0.45 | ||
| Total votes | 3,016,364 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
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 Owen: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% McCraw: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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Brad Owen, who has held this position since 1996, ran for re-election to a fourth term. He defeated Republican nominee Marcia McCraw in a landslide, winning over 60% of the vote.
| Primary election | ||||
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| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Brad Owen (incumbent) | 706,641 | 52.08 | |
| Republican | Marcia McCraw | 347,551 | 25.62 | |
| Republican | Jim Wiest | 193,752 | 14.28 | |
| Democratic | Randel Bell | 53,694 | 4.02 | |
| Constitution | Arlene A. Peck | 48,887 | 3.60 | |
| Total votes | 1,335,908 | 100.00 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Brad Owen (incumbent) | 1,718,033 | 60.80 | |
| Republican | Marcia McCraw | 1,107,634 | 39.20 | |
| Total votes | 2,825,667 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
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 County results Reed: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Osgood: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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Sam Reed, who held this position since 2000, was re-elected to a third and final term, defeating Democrat Jason Osgood. As of 2022, this is the last time a Republican won the Secretary of State position by over 10%.
| Primary election | ||||
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| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Sam Reed | 816,171 | 59.40 | |
| Democratic | Jason Osgood | 446,222 | 32.48 | |
| Constitution | Marilyn Montgomery | 88,728 | 6.46 | |
| Independent | Mark Greene | 22,800 | 1.66 | |
| Total votes | 1,330,036 | 100.00 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Sam Reed (incumbent) | 1,644,587 | 58.33 | |
| Democratic | Jason Osgood | 1,175,086 | 41.67 | |
| Invalid or blank votes | ||||
| Total votes | 2,819,673 | 100.00 | ||
| Turnout | ||||
| Republican hold | ||||
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 McIntire: 50–60% 60–70% Martin: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent State Treasurer Mike Murphy (D) retired. Democratic State Representative James McIntire and Republican Allan Martin advanced to the general election, where McIntire narrowly won the open seat.
| title=Treasurer of Washington election, 2008}}
| Primary election | ||||
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| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Allan Martin | 613,595 | 45.33 | |
| Democratic | James McIntire | 533,443 | 39.41 | |
| Democratic | ChangMook Sohn | 206,457 | 15.25 | |
| Total votes | 1,353,495 | 100.00 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Jim McIntire | 1,420,022 | 51.08 | |
| Republican | Allen Martin | 1,360,063 | 48.92 | |
| Invalid or blank votes | ||||
| Total votes | 2,780,085 | 100.00 | ||
| Turnout | ||||
| Democratic hold | ||||
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 Sonntag: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% McEntee: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent State Auditor Brian Sonntag, who has held this position since 1993, ran for re-election to a fifth term. Sonntag defeated Republican Richard "Dick" McEntee with over 63% of the vote. As of 2022, this is the last election where the Democratic candidate for State Auditor received over 60% of the vote.
| Primary election | ||||
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| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Brian Sonntag (incumbent) | 812,352 | 59.48 | |
| Republican | J. Richard (Dick) McEntee | 459,327 | 33.63 | |
| Constitution | Glenn Freeman | 94,148 | 6.89 | |
| Total votes | 1,267,935 | 100.00 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Brian Sonntag (incumbent) | 1,770,977 | 63.54 | |
| Republican | J. Richard (Dick) McEntee | 1,016,396 | 36.46 | |
| Invalid or blank votes | ||||
| Total votes | ||||
| Turnout | ||||
| Democratic hold | ||||
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 County results McKenna: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Ladenburg: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna ran for re-election, facing Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg, a Democrat, in the general election. McKenna won re-election in a landslide, winning by almost 20 points and carrying all but 2 counties. As of 2024, this is the last time a Republican was elected Washington Attorney General.
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Rob McKenna (R) | John Ladenburg (D) | Undecided |
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| SurveyUSA | October 30 – November 2, 2008 | 663 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 59% | 36% | 6% |
| SurveyUSA | October 26–27, 2008 | 630 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 57% | 36% | 7% |
| SurveyUSA | October 12–13, 2008 | 544 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 54% | 38% | 8% |
| SurveyUSA | September 21–22, 2008 | 682 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 53% | 39% | 8% |
| SurveyUSA | September 5–7, 2008 | 658 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 55% | 40% | 5% |
| SurveyUSA | August 11–12, 2008 | 718 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 51% | 43% | 6% |
| SurveyUSA | July 13–15, 2008 | 666 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 49% | 41% | 10% |
| SurveyUSA | June 7–9, 2008 | 637 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 49% | 42% | 9% |
| Primary election | ||||
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| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Rob McKenna (incumbent) | 783,240 | 56.98 | |
| Democratic | John Ladenburg | 591,254 | 43.02 | |
| Total votes | 1,374,494 | 100.00 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Rob McKenna (incumbent) | 1,689,764 | 59.46 | |
| Democratic | John Ladenburg | 1,152,174 | 40.54 | |
| Invalid or blank votes | ||||
| Total votes | 2,841,938 | 100.00 | ||
| Turnout | ||||
| Republican hold | ||||
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 Goldmark: 50–60% 60–70% Sutherland: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | ||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent Doug Sutherland (R), who had first been elected in 2000, ran for re-election against rancher Peter J. Goldmark in a highly contested race. Despite polls before the election showing Sutherland leading, on election day Goldmark narrowly defeated Sutherland.
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Doug Sutherland (R) | Peter Goldmark (D) | Undecided |
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| SurveyUSA | October 30 – November 2, 2008 | 663 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 48% | 42% | 10% |
| SurveyUSA | October 26–27, 2008 | 630 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 45% | 43% | 12% |
| SurveyUSA | October 12–13, 2008 | 544 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 47% | 38% | 15% |
| Primary election | ||||||
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| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |||
| Republican | Doug Sutherland (incumbent) | 691,145 | 51.13 | |||
| Democratic | Peter J. Goldmark | 660,714 | 48.87 | |||
| Total votes | 1,351,859 | 100.00 | ||||
| General election | ||||||
| Democratic | Peter J. Goldmark | 1,416,904 | 50.55 | |||
| Republican | Doug Sutherland (incumbent) | 1,385,903 | 49.45 | |||
| Invalid or blank votes | ||||||
| Total votes | 2,667,247 | 100.00 | ||||
| Turnout | ||||||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||||
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 Results by county Dorn: 50–60% Bergeson: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent Democratic Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson ran for re-election to a third term. She was defeated by Randy Dorn. The superintendent is the only nonpartisan statewide election.
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Terry Bergeson | Randy Dorn | Undecided |
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| SurveyUSA | October 30 – November 2, 2008 | 663 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 37% | 45% | 18% |
| SurveyUSA | October 26–27, 2008 | 630 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 38% | 43% | 19% |
| SurveyUSA | October 12–13, 2008 | 544 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 31% | 43% | 26% |
| SurveyUSA | September 21–22, 2008 | 682 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 35% | 40% | 25% |
| SurveyUSA | September 5–7, 2008 | 658 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 36% | 41% | 23% |
| SurveyUSA | August 11–12, 2008 | 718 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 32% | 43% | 25% |
| SurveyUSA | July 13–15, 2008 | 666 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 34% | 32% | 35% |
| Primary election | ||||
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| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Nonpartisan | Terry Bergeson (incumbent) | 477,130 | 39.31 | |
| Nonpartisan | Randy Dorn | 414,313 | 34.13 | |
| Nonpartisan | Don Hansler | 108,984 | 8.98 | |
| Nonpartisan | John P. Blair | 90,508 | 7.46 | |
| Nonpartisan | Enid Duncan | 78,983 | 6.51 | |
| Nonpartisan | David Blomstrom | 43,984 | 3.62 | |
| Total votes | 1,213,902 | 100.00 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Nonpartisan | Randy Dorn | 1,333,290 | 52.38 | |
| Nonpartisan | Terry Bergeson (incumbent) | 1,211,909 | 47.62 | |
| Total votes | 2,545,199 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Primary election | ||||
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| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Mike Kreidler (incumbent) | 723,732 | 53.86 | |
| Republican | John Adams | 484,992 | 36.09 | |
| Nonpartisan | Curtis Fackler | 135,113 | 10.05 | |
| Total votes | 1,343,837 | 100.00 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Mike Kreidler (incumbent) | 1,679,696 | 61.38 | |
| Republican | John Adams | 1,056,693 | 38.62 | |
| Total votes | 2,736,389 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
The 1996 United States Senate elections were held on November 5, 1996, with the 33 seats of Class 2 contested in regular elections. Special elections were also held to fill vacancies. They coincided with the presidential election of the same year, in which Democrat Bill Clinton was re-elected president.
The 1986 United States Senate elections were elections for the United States Senate. Held on November 4, in the middle of Ronald Reagan's second presidential term, the 34 seats of Class 3 were contested in regular elections. The Republicans had to defend an unusually large number of freshman Senate incumbents who had been elected on President Ronald Reagan's coattails in 1980. Democrats won a net of eight seats, defeating seven freshman incumbents, picking up two Republican-held open seats, and regaining control of the Senate for the first time since January 1981. This remains the most recent midterm election cycle in which the sitting president's party suffered net losses while still flipping a Senate seat.
The 1984 United States Senate elections were held on November 6, with the 33 seats of Class 2 contested in regular elections. They coincided with the landslide re-election of President Ronald Reagan in the presidential election. In spite of the lopsided presidential race, Reagan's Republican Party suffered a net loss of two Senate seats to the Democrats, although it retained control of the Senate with a reduced 53–47 majority. Democrats defeated incumbents in Illinois and Iowa, and won an open seat in Tennessee, while Republicans defeated an incumbent in Kentucky.
The 1976 United States Senate elections was an election for the United States Senate. Held on November 2, the 33 seats of Class 1 were contested in regular elections. They coincided with Democrat Jimmy Carter's presidential election and the United States Bicentennial celebration. Although almost half of the seats decided in this election changed parties, Carter's narrow victory did not provide coattails for the Democratic Party. Each party flipped seven Senate seats, although, one of the seats flipped by Democrats was previously held by a Conservative.
The 1974 United States Senate elections were held on November 5, with the 34 seats of Class 3 contested in regular elections. They occurred in the wake of the Watergate scandal, Richard M. Nixon's resignation from the presidency, and Gerald Ford's subsequent pardon of Nixon. Economic issues, specifically inflation and stagnation, were also a factor that contributed to Republican losses. As an immediate result of the November 1974 elections, Democrats made a net gain of three seats from the Republicans, as they defeated Republican incumbents in Colorado and Kentucky and picked up open seats in Florida and Vermont, while Republicans won the open seat in Nevada. Following the elections, at the beginning of the 94th U.S. Congress, the Democratic caucus controlled 60 seats, and the Republican caucus controlled 38 seats.
The 1972 United States Senate elections were held on November 7, with the 33 seats of Class 2 contested in regular elections. They coincided with the landslide re-election of Republican President Richard Nixon. Despite Nixon's landslide victory, Democrats increased their majority by two seats. The Democrats picked up open seats in Kentucky and South Dakota, and defeated four incumbent senators: Gordon Allott of Colorado, J. Caleb Boggs of Delaware, Jack Miller of Iowa, and Margaret Chase Smith of Maine. The Republicans picked up open seats in New Mexico, North Carolina, and Oklahoma, and defeated one incumbent, William B. Spong Jr. of Virginia.
United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 2, 2004, in 11 states and two territories. There was no net gain in seats for either party, as Democrats picked up an open seat in Montana while defeating incumbent Craig Benson in New Hampshire, while Republicans defeated incumbent Joe Kernan in Indiana and won Missouri after Bob Holden lost in the primary. These elections coincided with the presidential election.
The 1968 United States Senate elections were elections for the United States Senate. Held on November 5, the 34 seats of Class 3 were contested in regular elections. They coincided with the presidential election of the same year. The Republicans picked up five net seats in the Senate. This saw Republicans win a Senate seat in Florida for the first time since Reconstruction.
The 1964 United States Senate elections were held on November 3. The 33 seats of Class 1 were contested in regular elections. Special elections were also held to fill vacancies. They coincided with the election of President Lyndon B. Johnson by an overwhelming majority, to a full term. His Democratic Party picked up a net two seats from the Republicans. As of 2023, this was the last time either party has had a two-thirds majority in the Senate, which allowed the Senate Democrats to override a veto, propose constitutional amendments, or convict and expel certain officials without any votes from Senate Republicans. However, internal divisions would have prevented the Democrats from having done so. The Senate election cycle coincided with Democratic gains in the House in the same year.
The 1960 United States Senate elections coincided with the election of John F. Kennedy as president on November 8, 1960. The 33 seats of Class 2 were contested in regular elections. A special election was also held on June 28, 1960, for a mid-term vacancy in North Dakota where Democrats flipped a seat to expand their majority to 66–34. As Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson was elected Vice President, Mike Mansfield became the new majority leader.
United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 4, 2008, in 11 states and two territories. Prior to the election, eight of the total seats were held by Democrats and five by Republicans. Two governors were prohibited by term limits from seeking re-election in 2008. The only governorship to change party was the open seat in Missouri, which was won by a Democrat after being previously held by a Republican.
United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 5, 2002, in 36 states and two territories. The Republicans won eight seats previously held by the Democrats, as well as the seat previously held by Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura, who was elected on the Reform Party ticket but had since renounced his party affiliation. The Democrats won 10 seats previously held by the Republicans, as well as the seat previously held by Maine governor Angus King, an independent. The elections were held concurrently with the other United States elections of 2002.
United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 7, 2000, in 11 states and two territories. The elections coincided with the presidential election. Democrats gained one seat by defeating an incumbent in West Virginia. As of 2024, this remains the last gubernatorial cycle in which a Democrat won in Indiana.
The 1870 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina were held on November 1, 1870, to select six Representatives for two-year terms from the state of South Carolina. The fifth and sixth seats were decided by an at-large election, but the House of Representatives refused to seat the two winners. The two incumbents who ran were re-elected and the two open seats were retained by the Republicans. The composition of the state delegation thus remained solely Republican.
The 2004 congressional elections in Massachusetts was held on November 2, 2004, to determine who would represent the state of Massachusetts in the United States House of Representatives. Massachusetts had ten seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected were served in the 109th Congress from January 3, 2005 until January 3, 2007.
The 2012 Washington gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2012. Candidates in the election were chosen in an August 7, 2012 primary election, under the state's nonpartisan blanket primary system, which allows voters to vote for any candidate running in the race, regardless of party affiliation. The two candidates who received the most votes in the primary election qualified for the general election.
Elections held in the state of Washington on November 6, 2012. A nonpartisan blanket primary was held on August 7, 2012.
The 2018 United States Senate elections were held on November 6, 2018. Among the 100 seats, the 33 of Class 1 were contested in regular elections while 2 others were contested in special elections due to Senate vacancies in Minnesota and Mississippi. The regular election winners were elected to 6-year terms running from January 3, 2019, to January 3, 2025. Senate Democrats had 26 seats up for election, while Senate Republicans had 9 seats up for election.
A general election was held in the U.S. state of Washington on November 8, 2016. The primary was held on August 2.
A general election was held in the U.S. state of Wyoming on Tuesday, November 2, 1926. All of the state's executive officers—the Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, and Superintendent of Public Instruction—were up for election. Republicans narrowly picked up the governorship and solidified their control on the other statewide offices, increasing their margin of victory in each race.
