Primary: Larsen likely to face Hart; Rule and Pelletti in a dead heat for state House
Democratic incumbents were leading after the first primary election totals were posted in the two Whatcom County races where more than two candidates are registered.
Washington state has a top-two primary, meaning the two candidates with the most primary votes will advance to the Nov. 5 general election, regardless of party.
Only two local offices, the 2nd District U.S. House seat held by U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, and the 42nd Legislative District Position 1 seat held by state Rep. Alicia Rule, D-Blaine.
After the first round of ballots were released after 8 p.m. Tuesday, Larsen is leading with 47% of the vote in Whatcom County and 49% across the 2nd District. Republican Cody Hart appears to be Larsen’s top contender, securing 22% of the county vote and 20% of the district-wide vote. Republican Leif Johnson has received the third most votes so far — about 10%.
Rule essentially is in a dead heat with Ray Pelletti, a Republican, for her state Senate seat. Rule has tallied 11,662 votes to Pelletti’s 11,481. The only other primary candidate, Bellingham progressive Janet Melman, has received 1,751 so far.
A $157 milllion bond measure for the Lynden School District is failing 52% to 47%.
There also were three Whatcom County fire district measures on the ballot. Just one appears to be passing:
- Fire District 1 $13 million obligation bond is failing 50.6% to 49.4%
- Fire District 17 property tax levy is passing 55% to 45%
- Fire District 21 property tax levy is failing 56.4% to 43.6%
A second round of vote totals is scheduled for release by 5 p.m. Wednesday.
This story was originally published August 6, 2024 at 8:40 PM.
