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Seattle's Morning News host Tom Tangney says he thought if any Republican could win governor in Washington it would be Rob McKenna, but Inslee leads in early returns. (Image courtesy Rob McKenna)

Is Washington too blue to elect a Republican governor?

BY Jamie Skorheim  on November 7, 2012 @ 7:50 am (Updated: 9:48 am - 11/7/12 )

Washington state's race for governor hung on late ballots Wednesday, with election officials estimating hundreds of thousands of votes were left to count.

Democrat Jay Inslee holds a promising lead after nearly 2 million votes were counted Tuesday. Republican Rob McKenna was struggling in King County, which also held many of the votes still left to count.

Still, McKenna remains optimistic he could become the first GOP governor in about three decades, telling supporters Tuesday they would have to wait a few more days as mail ballots continued to arrive at county offices.

"This year, it will be worth the wait," McKenna said Tuesday night.

McKenna was meant to be a Republican triumph, as he had been steadily building his political reputation for years and developing a deep grasp of the issues facing state government.

"McKenna seemed like the ideal breakthrough candidate for the Republican Party because he wasn't an extreme social conservative," says KIRO Radio Seattle's Morning News host Tom Tangney.

Republicans last won a governor's race in the state in 1980, when John Spellman was elected. Voters ousted Spellman at the end of his first term, around the time McKenna was student body president at the University of Washington.

"In this state we have the longest string of Democratic governors in the country," says Tangney. "For 30 years now. I know we're a blue state of late, but we're not the bluest of blue states. I find that remarkable."

Seattle's Morning News co-host John Curley says as soon as Washington residents see an "R" by someone's name they just vote the other way.

The GOP has come close in some elections, most notably the 2004 race in which Dino Rossi lost to current Gov. Christine Gregoire by 133 votes.

Republicans had been cultivating McKenna as a potential gubernatorial candidate as he worked his way from the King County Council to attorney general. In that seat, he won 59 percent of the vote in 2008.

There are still many ballots to count, but right now, Democrat Jay Inslee is leading slightly with 51.3 percent of the vote over Republican Rob McKenna's 48.7 percent.

"I thought if any Republican was going to win the governorship, it would be Rob McKenna," says Tangney. "He still might, but that's really stunning if even a guy like Rob McKenna can't get elected in this state."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Jamie Skorheim, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Whether it's floating on Green Lake, eating shrimp tacos at Agua Verde, or taking weekend drives out to the Cascades, she loves to enjoy the Pacific Northwest lifestyle as much as humanly possible.
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Comments (54)


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  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    After Inslee gets done
    November 7, 2012 7:19 am
    We will rival California for how Broke we will be. Yet that state is 70% D, and they keep expecting something different, but go deeper and deeper in debt.

    So will Washington go, Inslee will drill more holes in the sinking Ship thinking that will boost growth.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • NW observer wrote...
    Bluest blue state?
    November 7, 2012 7:22 am
    Twenty eight years of Democrat governors, approval of gay marriage, consistent D majority of House and Senate representation and legalized recreational pot and we aren't the bluest? Okay, San Francisco is bluer, but that's a psych ward without walls, not a state. WE'RE NO.1!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Realist wrote...
    Definition of Insanity
    November 7, 2012 7:26 am
    Keep doing the exact same thing over and over and expect a different result. That's how the Dems in this state think.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Sir wrote...
    shut up.
    November 7, 2012 1:21 pm
    seriously. learn to think for yourself and not just parrot idiots like beck and limbaugh or remove yourself from the discussion. its poorly thought out like that which are more destructive to your party than ANY liberal agenda item or talking point. Also, the definition of insanity is an inability to seperate fantasy from reality or the inability to determine seperate "right" from "wrong". I suppose that I shouldn't be surprised that a Republican has combined irrational fear and an incorrect statement that is really not on point to begin with... such is life. grow up, use your brain for 2 seconds and learn something. thanks.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Wow Sir
    November 9, 2012 5:06 pm
    That was stunningly pointless. Please tell us what great things the Dems have done? Besides piss away money and then keep taking more. Totally inept, ineffective and incompetent. Those are my words. Not beck or Limbaugh or Hannity. And, the really sad thing is, they are all true!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Its not that the state is BLUE
    November 7, 2012 7:27 am
    KING COUNTY IS BLUE
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DJFavorite wrote...
    exactly
    November 7, 2012 8:52 am
    I was thinking the exact same thing Rick. When you look at the numbers, is isn't the State of Washington, it's the State of King (County).
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @Rick W7PSK
    November 7, 2012 12:09 pm
    Inslee came from SNOHOMISH COUNTY. He was our 1st district US representative.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    15 counties went blue for our President
    November 7, 2012 12:36 pm
    http://vote.wa.gov/results/20121106/President-Vice-President_ByCounty.html
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    And what does that have to do Mr Lawn
    November 8, 2012 5:37 am
    with our Governors Race? The Governors race its only 7 Counties for Inslee, and of those 6 out of 7 its only about 10K Votes Max difference. So the other 32 counties would have made the difference. So that leaves 1 count them 1 county that decides the Gov race and King county wouldn't vote for an R for any reason. And you vote for someone who comes out and says he is going to create MORE Government, yet says he wont raise taxes. So how is he going to fix the sinking ship. By Drilling More holes.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    So we have 32 counties that wanted something different
    November 8, 2012 5:38 am
    and they are going to suffer under Inslee because 1 county says so. Its time for KING to become its own state.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    And he's
    November 9, 2012 5:06 pm
    an IDIOT! Hope you're real proud.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • NW observer wrote...
    King County
    November 7, 2012 3:17 pm
    King County attitude - l'etat c'est moi! ( with apologies to Louis the XIV)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • gaymarriedchristianfromhollywood wrote...
    Short answer yes with a but, long answer no with an if
    November 7, 2012 7:57 am
    Yes, but McKenna did have a good shot. I think it was his association with the Tea Party that will eventually do him in. (If he loses, he hasn't lost yet people, cheer up.) No, if the Republicans will nominate someone who is a moderate on women's reproductive rights and other social issues.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Robert Mak with ad sense
    November 7, 2012 8:43 am
    proved that was a Total lie, and you guys bought into it lock stock and barrel.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • calapete wrote...
    stunning?
    November 7, 2012 8:10 am
    The guy dragged Washington into the ACA lawsuit and lied about his intent.

    His funding came from Texas oil companies.

    he is against marriage equality.

    Come one Tom, this isn't Stunning, its common sense.

    McKenna ran a much better campaign, won the debates, but as we know, McKenna is not who he says he is.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Believed all the stories did we calapete
    November 7, 2012 8:44 am
    Tell others that fox news feeds you lies while totally believing the propaganda fed to you about McKenna
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • calapete wrote...
    what part of my comment is untrue?
    November 7, 2012 9:17 am
    curious to hear.

    did he file suit against ACA on behalf of Washington?

    PDC clearly shows Texas oil company donations to his campaign.

    He said he was against gay marriage in the debate.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    On the ACA
    November 7, 2012 9:48 am
    He only was questioning the Constitutional Mandate part, he said he supported the other facets (which I disagreed with). Its the Dems that said he was against Women's health and yada yada spin and Lies.

    I have not seen the PDC, But so what does it matter where his money comes from. How would Texas donators effect Washington and why would they want to?

    And So he was against gay marriage, but he also said he would support the law if the state passed it. IF by some weird change the final vote comes in against it, do you expect Inslee to support the will of the voters or will he try to override it like Gregoire did.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • calapete wrote...
    ACA
    November 7, 2012 10:01 am
    He said he was only against the mandate, but the lawsuit would have overturned ACA, thus affecting Womens health.

    If I said I support the Ryan budget because I like the Medicare voucher plan (whish I don't), can I support his budget and not be guilty of supporting a budget that strips millions of their health insurance? I like people to have health insurance, but I want Medicare vouchers.

    I don't think it works that way. A politician has to take responsibility for their actions. McKennas action had a lot more consequences than he was ready to accept responsibility for.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Ok Cal
    November 7, 2012 10:17 am
    we agree to disagree, Im just affraid Inslee is not the better choice. The ship is sinking and he wants to add more people
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Pete in Seattle wrote...
    Coattails
    November 7, 2012 8:48 am
    As long as the state keeps the gubernatorial election on the same cycle as the presidantial elections it will be difficult to elect a GOP governor. In this year's contest lies on both sides, but especially by interests supporting Inslee. By employing the old childrens game of cutting words out of magazines and newspapers and pasting them together, one of the most conspicuous ads painted McKenna as a tea-party ultra-conservative Republican. In an off-year election that would not carry as much weight as it does when we are also electing a president, since there is not the general exposure the conventions, debates, and even the primaries focus on the parties. Remove the coattails and Rossi might be running for a third term.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Old Timer wrote...
    Inslee
    November 7, 2012 8:59 am
    A.J. is right. The state is ok but King County carries the Dems
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • 2shbag wrote...
    All is well fairies
    November 7, 2012 9:56 am
    Tis the state of chocolate rivers, gum drop freeways and pixie dust powered buses...... until the candy runs out the children will stay happy!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    Time for WA to secede from the state of King County
    November 7, 2012 11:15 am
    Only then will we be "Free at last, free at last, thank God almight we will be free at last"....then the state of King County can tax themselves to death.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • eastcoastexpat74 wrote...
    Time for WA to secede from the state of King County
    November 7, 2012 11:28 am
    The state should be divided into West WA (or West Massachusetts!) and East WA and the boundary should be the spine of the Cascades.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • eastcoastexpat74 wrote...
    Time for WA to secede from the state of King County
    November 7, 2012 11:29 am
    Plus we will get closer to Obama's 57 states.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ted Bundi wrote...
    We tried that with "Cedar County"
    November 7, 2012 6:46 pm
    Everything in place, majority vote, ready to go, boundaries set, etc. but the Secretary of State refused to sign it into law. (Note: by law, King County would have to have given up about 1/3 of its resources to the new county, so you know why that went down) Good luck to you.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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