jayinsleeel20123.jpg
Democrat Jay Inslee says he's begun making plans to take over as governor, even though over a million ballots remain to be counted in the race. (Tim Haeck/KIRO Radio photo)

Numbers adding up to likely Inslee win for Washington governor

BY Josh Kerns  on November 7, 2012 @ 3:03 pm (Updated: 5:24 am - 11/8/12 )

While Republican Rob McKenna insists the race isn't over, experts say the numbers will add up for Democrat Jay Inslee in the race for governor as results come in during the tight race.

Check live results

"We're going to ask you to be patient for a few more days," McKenna told supporters at the GOP party in Bellevue. "This year it will be worth the wait."

Not everyone agrees with McKenna's sentiments. He trailed by just over 44,000 votes statewide Wednesday night, and a Seattle Times analysis says he would need to capture 52 percent of the estimated 1.2 ballots still to be counted as of Tuesday. He was pulling 48.7 percent at the initial tally.

"I don't think McKenna's going to overcome the deficit," predicts KIRO Radio's Dori Monson. "King County was 63-37 for Inslee. I don't care how many late votes come in, I don't see any way that McKenna's going to overcome the deficit that he faces."

University of Washington political science professor Matt Barreto agrees. He says McKenna would need 60 percent of the remaining votes outside King County to catch Inslee, but was getting just 53.4 percent.

"King County will overwhelm McKenna," Barreto tells the Times, saying there simply aren't enough votes out there for McKenna to come back.

Inslee isn't declaring victory yet, but is clearly planning to be named the winner.

"I am very confident that we will be in a position to lead the state of Washington in the next four years," Inslee said Wednesday.

Inslee said he has begun organizing a transition team and will be ready to start working as soon as the election is finalized.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
More Local News
Top Stories

  • Sopranos Star Dies at 51
    James Gandolfini, the actor famous for "The Sopranos", died suddenly in Italy

  • More to the Story
    Liberace's ex-lover says the world will hear more of his story, and Michael Jackson's in there

  • A Skeptic's Doubts
    An ESPN columnist doubts Russell Wilson will ever be elite
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (17)


  • Add A Comment

  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    1st step in Washington becoming California 2
    November 7, 2012 2:41 pm
    Broke and so far in debt you will never climb out.

    Inslee, wants to take a ship sinking with holes in it and his idea is Drilling More holes.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • gaymarriedchristianfromhollywood wrote...
    California is the 8th largest economy in the world I think they'll pull out of it, but their
    November 8, 2012 11:34 am
    troubles date back decades and both parties are responsible. If I remember correctly, the Tea Party was formed because Republicans were just as reckless (or more) with Tax payer money. The times of the fiscally responsible Republican are over. Now they spend money like drunken sailors. Under Obama federal spending has increased at an annualized rate of just 1.4 percent. Who gets the gold medal for increases in spending? Reagan's first term, 8.7 percent. Dubya's second term, 8.1 percent. Dubya also captures the bronze, with first-term annualized spending increases of 7.3 percent. Then comes Papa Bush, then Reagan's second term. McKenna took $184,000 in free trips and has taken all kinds of free goodies, which if you believe the Seattle Times (who endorsed him) is more than Gregoire ever spent during her tenure as Attorney General.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    And How many were paid for by the State
    November 8, 2012 11:47 am
    NONE - And most were developing relationships for the state or as his position as head of the state Attorney Generals association.

    Another Lie bought into.

    Next your bringing up the Disney trip I be

    WHICH was a state required meeting he had to go to. The fundraiser was on his own time and his wife's travel was paid by him.

    Im sure you researched these right. Or did you just buy the stupid Ads paid for by the democrats.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Fuego wrote...
    1185 should help
    November 7, 2012 2:52 pm
    to keep Inslee from doing too much damage. I wonder if his "Lean management" ideas copied from Boeing means he's going to move Olympia to Chicago?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ronzilla wrote...
    It would be AWESOME if Inslee could relocate King County to Chicago!
    November 7, 2012 8:45 pm
    King County is anathema to most of the rest of Washingtonians.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Funny the votes are not even tallied yet
    November 7, 2012 3:14 pm
    and even though he is more than likely due to king county going to win, he has already announced his formation of a transition team.

    Now why would you do that unless you knew the results already ?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    Told ya so ya dopes!
    November 7, 2012 3:24 pm
    I have been saying for months, the candidate who side WITH MJ would win election. Neither did, but at least we got the candidate that looks like a dope. All McKenna had to do is say, "If mj passes I will side with the will of the voters and do what I am put in office to do." But he dint!~
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Sean wrote...
    I can't believe how stupid and shortsighted
    November 7, 2012 5:25 pm
    about 52% of this state's citizens are. Time after time.... It's amazing.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    @Sean
    November 7, 2012 6:05 pm
    Agreed....I give up. best of luck to the people of the country & say WA. Just remember, as of today, each and everyone one of us owes our Government $218,633 in taxes. Our kids and their kids are gonna look back and wonder What the eF we were thinking....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Sir wrote...
    yup,
    November 8, 2012 1:35 am
    And it all starts with that cowboy who stole our rights, destroyed the budget and wrecked the economy...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Sean more like 68% of 1 single county
    November 8, 2012 5:39 am
    KING.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DesertRez wrote...
    If you look
    November 8, 2012 5:31 am
    at the county breakdown, it really is disheartening. I get sick of people saying that voting is pointless, but you know what...they are right!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DesertRez wrote...
    as an
    November 8, 2012 5:34 am
    Eastsider that is....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TimeForNewLeadership wrote...
    Unforgiving Democrats
    November 8, 2012 7:18 am
    King County Democrats hate the Republican party so much that if Lincoln were reincarnated and running on the Republican ticket they would not vote for him.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • anotherfencewalker wrote...
    TimeForNewLeadership...No recess for you today..
    November 8, 2012 8:06 am
    Do your homework or clarify your point. Lincoln was a republican.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • artimus wrote...
    whine, whine, whine
    November 8, 2012 11:14 am
    spodyody.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }