Inslee leading McKenna in initial ballot count for governor

Democrat Jay Inslee led Republican Rob McKenna Tuesday, although it will be a few days before it is clear which of them will be the state’s next governor.

Inslee was ahead of McKenna by a margin of 51.3 percent to 48.7 percent in initial returns though neither candidate expects this will be the final margin as ballot counting continues in the coming days.

As expected, Inslee is prospering in the heavily Democratic King County, hauling in 63 percent in the initial batch of ballots. He’s also ahead in Snohomish County with 51.8 percent.

McKenna, who is trying to become Washington’s first Republican governor in three decades, is looking to finish with at least 40 percent of the final vote in King County and win in either Snohomish County or Pierce County to succeed.

He was ahead in Pierce County, 52 percent to 48 percent in Tuesday’s early returns and by wide margins in several Republican strongholds east of the Cascades.

McKenna told reporters he is exactly where he expected to be based on surveys showing more Democrats than Republicans voted early. He’s confident he’ll prevail when the tallying ends.

“We feel really good where we are,” he said. “We believe my numbers will steadily increase in the next several days. We may not know until next week. We may know by Friday.”

Inslee, 61, of Bainbridge Island, served 15 years in Congress before resigning in March to focus on this race. From 1999 until he resigned, he represented the 1st Congressional District, which included portions of south Snohomish County.

McKenna, 50, of Bellevue, is in his second term as attorney general and looking to become the first Republican elected as the state’s chief executive since John Spellman in 1980.

Throughout the campaign he sought to position himself as a moderate Republican who could work with moderate Democrats in order to steer the state in a different direction on education and fiscal policy.

Their battle, conducted in the glare of a national audience, may wind up the most costly gubernatorial contest yet.

Inslee and McKenna will spend a combined $26 million when all the bills are paid.

Outside groups expended another $22 million trying to influence the outcome with commercials and mailers.

Education funding was a central issue at each of their five debates and numerous joint appearances.

Inslee and McKenna both pledged to find billions of additional dollars for public schools and colleges without resorting to hiking taxes — something the retiring Gov. Chris Gregoire doesn’t see as possible.

McKenna sketched out a plan to come up with $1.7 billion for public schools and colleges in his first budget primarily by redirecting money from non-education programs into classrooms. He also said he would pay less of the health care tab of state workers and not fill every vacant government job, and put the savings into schools.

Inslee challenged McKenna for embracing a controversial proposal to give local school districts a greater share of the state’s property tax levy. It involves a swap of revenues raised from local levies with dollars from statewide property tax collections.

Inslee called it a gimmick that would cause property taxes to rise in some school districts without generating any additional dollars for schools.

McKenna countered that the proposal is a means for complying with an order from the state Supreme Court to boost the state’s financial support of public schools.

For his part, Inslee vowed to find additional money for education by trimming unnecessary spending, lowering health care costs of state employees and generating revenue from a revived economy. He also vowed a wider use of lean management strategies would also cut costs and free up bucks for schools.

The two men offered vastly different approaches to igniting the economy.

McKenna pushed a plan centered on lowering costs of unemployment insurance and workers compensation, reducing regulations and revamping the business and occupation tax.

Inslee proposed 75 different undertakings around the state to incite job creation. He also vowed to make Washington a leader in clean energy and other new technologies.

Both candidates pledged to bring a transportation funding package to voters in their first term.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.