SEATTLE — The first unofficial results are in for Washington’s 2026 primary election, with early returns beginning to shape several closely watched races across the state.
Washington uses a top-two primary system, meaning the two candidates who receive the most votes in each race advance to the Nov. 3 general election, regardless of party preference.
3rd Congressional District
One of the state’s most closely watched races is in Southwest Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, where Democratic U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is seeking a third term.
Early returns show Republican John Braun leading the field with 51% of the vote, followed by incumbent Marie Gluesenkamp Perez with 34%.
The remaining candidates trailed in the early count:
- John Braun (R): 51% (17,676 votes)
- Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, incumbent): 34% (11,735 votes)
- Brent Hennrich (D): 8% (2,912 votes)
- John P. Roco (R): 2% (651 votes)
- Lawrence Kellogg (R): 2% (582 votes)
- John Saulie-Rohman (I): 2% (527 votes)
- Troy Rasband (D): 1% (293 votes)
- Austin Braswell (D): 1% (238 votes)
- Antony Barran (C): 1% (213 votes)
If the results hold, Braun and Gluesenkamp Perez would advance to the November general election under Washington’s top-two primary system.
Because Washington counts ballots over several days, these results are unofficial and may change as additional ballots are processed.
4th Congressional District
The race to succeed retiring Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse is one of Washington’s most competitive open-seat contests.
Early returns show Republican Amanda McKinney leading with 34% of the vote, followed by Democrat John Duresky with 29%. Republicans Matt Boehnke and Jerrod Sessler remained within striking distance in the early count.
- Amanda McKinney (R): 34% (12,118 votes)
- John Duresky (D): 29% (10,318 votes)
- Matt Boehnke (R): 15% (5,259 votes)
- Jerrod Sessler (R): 14% (4,949 votes)
- Favian Valencia (I): 3% (1,166 votes)
- Jacek “Jack” Kobiesa (NP): 2% (618 votes)
- John C. Hughs (R): 1% (440 votes)
- Devin Poore (C): 1% (386 votes)
- Elpidia Saavedra (R): 1% (297 votes)
- Zac Rossi (NP): 1% (250 votes)
- Ken Vaz (R): 0% (115 votes)
The top two candidates are currently on track to advance.
9th Congressional District
Democratic U.S. Rep. Adam Smith is seeking another term while facing several challengers.
Early returns show incumbent U.S. Rep. Adam Smith leading the race in Washington’s 9th Congressional District with 51% of the vote. Republican Doug Basler is second with 24%, while Kshama Sawant and Melissa Chaudhry are each receiving about 12%.
- Adam Smith (D, incumbent): 51% (36,070 votes)
- Doug Basler (R): 24% (16,842 votes)
- Kshama Sawant (I): 13% (8,896 votes)
- Melissa Chaudhry (D): 11% (8,083 votes)
- Jacob Perasso (S): 1% (802 votes)
- Write-in: Less than 1% (113 votes)
Seattle City Council District 5
Four candidates are competing for the only Seattle City Council seat on the ballot this year following Cathy Moore’s resignation.
Early returns show Nilu Jenks leading the race for Seattle City Council District 5 with 50% of the vote, followed by Julie Kang with 36%. Dimitri Georgakopoulos has 9%, while Silas James has 5%.
- Nilu Jenks (NP): 50% (6,580 votes)
- Julie Kang (NP): 36% (4,817 votes)
- Dimitri Georgakopoulos (NP): 9% (1,182 votes)
- Silas James (NP): 5% (632 votes)
King County Council
King County Council District 2
Voters are choosing a new representative for King County Council District 2 following the election of Girmay Zahilay as county executive.
Early returns show state Sen. Rebecca Saldaña leading the race for the open King County Council District 2 seat with 52% of the vote, followed by Port of Seattle Commissioner Toshiko Grace Hasegawa with 39%. Miriam Mboya trails with 9%.
- Rebecca Saldaña (NP): 52% (14,306 votes)
- Toshiko Grace Hasegawa (NP): 39% (10,647 votes)
- Miriam Mboya (NP): 9% (2,395 votes)
- Write-in: 1% (194 votes)
King County Council District 8
Voters are also choosing a representative for King County Council District 8.
Early returns show incumbent Teresa Mosqueda leading the race for King County Council District 8 with 63% of the vote. Nick Duda is second with 27%, followed by Mia Jacobson with 9%.
- Teresa Mosqueda (NP): 63% (17,984 votes)
- Nick Duda (NP): 27% (7,876 votes)
- Mia Jacobson (NP): 9% (2,655 votes)
- Write-in: Less than 1% (133 votes)
Washington Supreme Court
Four Supreme Court races are on the primary ballot, including contests involving Chief Justice Debra Stephens and newly appointed justices Theo Angelis and Colleen Melody.
Washington Supreme Court Position 1
Early results show:
- Scott Edwards (NP): 39% (37,160 votes)
- Colleen Melody (NP): 37% (35,940 votes)
- Laura Christensen Colberg (NP): 24% (22,994 votes)
Washington Supreme Court Position 3
Three candidates are competing for a seat on the Washington Supreme Court.
Early returns show David Stevens leading the race for Washington Supreme Court Position 3 with 47% of the vote. Jaime Michelle Hawk is second with 30%, followed by Mike Diaz with 22%.
- David Stevens (NP): 47% (45,504 votes)
- Jaime Michelle Hawk (NP): 30% (28,918 votes)
- Mike Diaz (NP): 22% (21,036 votes)
Supreme Court Position 5
Four candidates are competing for a seat on the Washington Supreme Court.
Early returns show Dave Larson leading the race for Washington Supreme Court Position 5 with 43% of the vote. Theo Angelis is second with 22%, followed by Sharonda Amamilo with 20% and Greg Miller with 16%.
- Dave Larson (NP): 43% (40,749 votes)
- Theo Angelis (NP): 22% (20,916 votes)
- Sharonda Amamilo (NP): 20% (18,705 votes)
- Greg Miller (NP): 16% (14,873 votes)
Supreme Court Position 7
Four candidates are competing for a seat on the Washington Supreme Court.
Early returns show Chief Justice Debra L. Stephens leading the race for Washington Supreme Court Position 7 with 45% of the vote. Todd A. Bloom is second with 36%, followed by Karim A. Merchant with 10% and David R. Shelvey.
- Debra L. Stephens (NP): 45% (42,805 votes)
- Todd A. Bloom (NP): 36% (34,475 votes)
- Karim A. Merchant (NP): 10% (9,370 votes)
- David R. Shelvey (NP): % ( votes)
King County assessor
Voters are also choosing a successor to former King County Assessor John Wilson, who is not seeking reelection.
Early returns show Rob Foxcurran leading the race for King County assessor with 43% of the vote. Christopher Roberts and Dominique M. Scarimbolo are virtually tied for second with 20% each, while Al Dams has 17%.
- Rob Foxcurran (NP): 43% (105,006 votes)
- Christopher Roberts (NP): 20% (48,836 votes)
- Dominique M. Scarimbolo (NP): 20% (48,523 votes)
- Al Dams (NP): 17% (40,199 votes)
- Write-in: Less than 1% (962 votes)
Seattle Proposition 1
Seattle voters are deciding whether to renew the seven-year Seattle Public Library levy, which would raise about $480 million for technology upgrades, building maintenance and other library services.
Early returns show Seattle Proposition 1 passing comfortably, with nearly 72% of voters supporting renewal of the Seattle Public Library levy.
- Yes: 72% (67,565 votes)
- No: 28% (26,656 votes)
Washington counts ballots over several days, and election officials expect additional results to be released throughout the week as more mailed ballots are received and verified. Because ballots postmarked by Election Day can still be counted after Tuesday, close races may not be decided on election night.
Click here to access the election results page on KOMONews.com
