Tuesday is primary election day in Idaho and Oregon.
Voters in Idaho are taking the first step toward choosing a new governor and First District Congressional member. They’ll also narrow the fields for statewide and legislative offices.
It’s also an important political week in Washington, as candidates are officially filing their papers to run in the August primary election.
Washington U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell is expected to run for re-election, though she hasn’t yet filed. Already she has 10 opponents, including three challenging her in the primary.
Democrat Lisa Brown officially filed to run against Republican Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers for Washington's Fifth District Congressional seat. The incumbent hasn’t yet formally entered the race.
The state House and Senate are narrowly controlled by Democrats; Republicans are hoping to reverse that or at least pick up seats. In the Sixth District, Republicans are defending an open seat as Michael Baumgartner is leaving and running for Spokane County treasurer. Representative Jeff Holy hopes to replace him. He’s challenged by Democrat Jessa Lewis. One Democrat has filed to run for Holy’s seat, Rion Ametu.
In the Seventh District, Democrat Karen Hardy will again challenge Republican Shelly Short. Short won a runoff election last November.
At the Spokane County level, incumbent Republican Mary Kuney is getting a primary challenge for her county commission seat from Treasurer Rob Chase. Kuney was selected over Chase for an open seat last year. Incumbent Republican Commissioner Al French hasn’t yet filed for re-election, yet he’s already drawn a Democratic opponent, Robbi Anthony.
Republican Leonard Christian has filed for an open county assessor seat. He’s expected to be challenged by fellow Republican Tom Konis.
Many of the other Spokane County incumbents are so far unopposed. There are still four days left for candidates to file.