Cantwell is apparent winner in Senate race; recount pending

Herald news services and staff

OLYMPIA – Democratic challenger Maria Cantwell scored an apparent victory in the country’s last unsettled U.S. Senate contest today, but the race was still headed for an automatic recount.

A Cantwell victory would give the state two women senators for the first time in its history and two Democrats for the first time since the glory days of “Scoop” Jackson and Warren G. “Maggie” Magnuson in the 1970s.

And it would create a rare 50-50 tie in the Senate – at least until the all-tied-up presidential race is decided.

Cantwell, 42, had a lead of 2,104 votes with more than 2.4 million ballots counted and about 3,000 left to count. About 11,000 new ballots had been counted this afternoon, padding her slim lead by about 750.

Cantwell had 1,197,442 votes or 48.73 percent, to Gorton’s 1,194,901 votes or 48.63 percent. Libertarian Jeff Jared had 64,563 or 2.62 percent.

Cantwell pulled into the lead for the first time on Tuesday, primarily due to returns from her bastion, King County, which includes heavily Democratic Seattle.

“We’re feeling confident of victory,” said Cantwell spokesman Ellis Conklin. “We have a sense of euphoria – exhaustion and euphoria blended together.”

Gorton wasn’t conceding, but spokeswoman Cynthia Bergman said: “We’re losing. It looks like it’s going to be tough to make it up.”

Both camps said Cantwell did better in the final tallies, particularly in vote-rich King, Pierce, Snohomish and Whatcom counties, than either side had projected.

“At the end, the trend line improved for us nearly everywhere,” Conklin said. Special ballots, including those cast by college students at the wrong precinct, and absentee ballots mailed on election night went strongly for Cantwell, he said.

Libertarian Jared, a Kirkland attorney, may have been a factor. Jared said his 65,000 votes were due in great part to unhappiness with Gorton’s stance in favor of some gun-control laws and his reluctance to cut the size and cost of government.

“Gorton’s record is to blame, not me,” he said.

Cantwell swamped Gorton by more than 150,000 votes in King County. She also was carrying Jefferson, San Juan, Snohomish and Thurston counties. Gorton was carrying the other 34 counties, although the race was close in Kitsap and Pierce counties.

Conklin said no one on the Cantwell staff has done any serious transition planning, but if she wins, they will rely heavily on Democrat Patty Murray, who would become the state’s senior senator after just eight years in office.

Today was the deadline for the state’s 39 counties to complete the counting that had dragged on for more than two weeks. Over 700,000 votes have been tallied since election night, mostly absentee ballots postmarked Nov. 7, but not received or processed for days after that.

Secretary of State Ralph Munro plans to order a recount Monday, when he will certify the county results. That is expected to be largely complete by the end of next week.

Under Washington law, a recount is automatic whenever a margin is less than 0.5 percent, or about 12,000 votes in the case of this year’s Senate election.

In recent years, recounts have been ordered for several congressional races and ballot measures. None reversed the original outcome.

Gorton himself had to go through a recount 32 years ago, when he won his first term as state attorney general. He has been in public office since 1958, the year Cantwell was born, except for a two-year break in Senate service after losing a 1986 re-election bid.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

A view of a homes in Edmonds, Washington on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County to mail property tax statements this month

First half payments are due on April 30.

Ticket and ORCA card kiosks at the Lynnwood Light Rail station on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Beginning March 1, Community Transit to reduce some fares

Riders eligible for reduced fares will pay $1 for a single ORCA card tap and $36 for a monthly pass.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The amphitheater at Deception Pass during the 2021 concert series. (Photo provided by Deception Pass Park Foundation Facebook page.)
Deception Pass Foundation seeks Adopt-A-Trail volunteers

If you’re looking for a way to get outside and… Continue reading

A pedestrian is struck and killed by vehicle Wednesday in Everett

The pedestrian was a man in his 60s. The collision happened at 5:30 a.m. on Broadway.

Want coffee? Drink some with the Marysville mayor.

A casual question-and-answer session between mayor and constituents is planned for March 24.

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.