Jay Inslee, Loren Culp leading in Washington governor race
Aug 4, 2020, 8:23 PM | Updated: Aug 8, 2020, 8:09 am
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Jay Inslee is leading in the race for Washington’s governor in the Primary election, garnering 50% of the vote as of Saturday morning.
Republic Police Chief Loren Culp is the next leading candidate at 17%, topping the Republican field of challengers looking to unseat Inslee. He’s trailed by former Bothell Mayor Joshua Freed (8%), anti-tax activist Tim Eyman (6%), Tri-Cities physician Dr. Raul Garcia (5%), and state Sen. Phil Fortunato (4%).
This year’s Primary field is expansive, with 36 candidates on the ballot for governor. The top two vote-getters will move on to the general election on Nov. 3.
Inslee issued a statement following the news of early results.
Breaking: @GovInslee statement on initial Primary results showing him with 52% of the vote securing his bid for 3rd term. Loren Culp closest second at the moment at 17%, Freed at 8%, Eyman 7% , Garcia 5% & Fortunato 4% @KIRORadio #WAPrimary #waleg pic.twitter.com/LGWZPrBhWz
— Hanna Scott (@HannaKIROFM) August 5, 2020
Inslee was first elected governor in 2012, when he edged out former state Attorney General Rob McKenna 51% to 48%. He won reelection in 2016 over Republican challenger Bill Bryant by a 54% to 45% margin.
Inslee has steadily been polling at or above 50% prior to the primaries, and above 60% in polls pitting him against each of the major Republican candidates in November.