Gregoire, Rossi in tight race

The candidates for governor were in a tight race late Tuesday, with Democrat Christine Gregoire clinging to a small lead over Republican Dino Rossi.

It’s likely that the race will not be decided until absentee and challenged ballots are counted. Snohomish County plans to count ballots again on Friday.

The race is one of the costliest gubernatorial campaigns in state history. Entering the final week of campaigning, Gregoire had spent $5.6 million and Rossi $5.67 million.

Neither candidate conceded late Tuesday. Both told their supporters they were optimistic, but didn’t expect results for several more days.

“The counties that favor Dino Rossi have already come in, and we’re ahead in the larger counties, and that will grow,” Gregoire spokesman Morton Brilliant said.

Gregoire was watching returns with her family and top aides. “She’s upbeat,” Brilliant said.

The Rossi camp also was upbeat.

“We’re still optimistic,” said Rossi spokeswoman Janelle Guthrie. “A lot of counties haven’t reported yet, and we believe they will be trending our way. We also did the traditional chase of absentee ballots and Dino worked on get-out-the-vote calls.”

Early results showed Gregoire, the state’s attorney general since 1992, leading Rossi, a former state senator. The seat was up for grabs after Democratic Gov. Gary Locke chose not to seek a third term.

If Rossi wins, he would be the first Republican to win a gubernatorial election was John Spellman in 1980. If Gregoire wins, she would be the state’s fourth straight Democrat since Booth Gardner in 1984.

Gregoire, 57, of Lacey in Thurston County, announced her campaign for governor last year. The former director of Department of Ecology was elected attorney general in 1992, 1996 and 2000.

As attorney general, she aggressively pursued cases involving the safety of workers at the Hanford nuclear waste site, and online sex predators. Her biggest legal win came in 1998 when she helped engineer a national settlement between tobacco conglomerates and several states. She gained national praise, and Washington won a $4.5 billion share of the outcome.

In the primary, and again in the general election, Gregoire faced strong criticism for her office’s handling of a high-profile case in which three developmentally disabled men sued after being abused in a state-licensed facility. Her office missed the deadline to file an appeal in the case, and that resulted in the state paying $18.5 million to the men.

Many considered Rossi, 44, of Sammamish in King County, as the GOP’s best chance to win since Spellman.

Rossi is a commercial real estate salesman who served seven years in the Legislature. As chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee in 2003, he helped write and pass the current state budget.

Rossi enjoyed strong support early from President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, and won late endorsements from several newspapers in vote-rich Western Washington, including The Herald.

Facing no opponent in the primary, Rossi campaigned on a theme that he would be an agent of change to bring a friendlier attitude toward business to state government and end the Democratic Party’s two-decade hold on the governor’s seat.

Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or 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

Oliver Popa, 7, poses with his book, "Drippey Plants a Garden," on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds 7-year-old publishes children’s book featuring ‘Drippey’ the bee

Oliver Popa’s first grade teacher said he should publish a longer version of a writing assignment. A year later, his mother — a publisher — helped made it happen.

Don Sharrett talks John Wrice through his trimming technique on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett barber school offers $5 haircuts — if you’re brave enough

Students get hands-on practice. Willing clients get a sweet deal.

Employees and patrons of the Everett Mall signed a timeline mural that traces the history of the 51-year-old indoor mall that was once considered the premier place to go shopping in the city. Thursday, March 20, 2025 (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Mall mural offers nostalgic trip into the past

Past and present Everett Mall employees joined customers Thursday to view an artistic timeline of the once popular shopping mecca.

Director for the Snohomish County Health Department Dennis Worsham leads a short exercise during the Edge of Amazing event on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department faces up to $3.4 million in cuts

The two federal grants provided funding for immunizations and disease prevention awareness efforts.

2025 Emerging Leader DeLon Lewis (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
DeLon Lewis: Helping students succeed

Program specialist for Everett Community College believes leadership is about building bridges.

Daron Johnson, who runs Snohomish County Scanner, stands next to his scanner setup on Tuesday, April 1 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Snohomish County law enforcement to encrypt police airwaves

The plan for civilian police scanners to go dark pushed a host to shut down his popular breaking news feed.

Richie Gabriel, 1, jumps off the bottom of the slide as Matthew Gabriel looks down at him from the play structure at Hummingbird Hill Park on Monday, March 31, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds residents show up for Hummingbird Hill Park, Frances Anderson Center

After a two-and-a-half hour public comment session, the council tabled its votes for the two comprehensive plan amendments.

Students Haddie Shorb, 9, left, and brother Elden Shorb, 11, right, lead the ground breaking at Jackson Elementary School on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett district breaks ground on Jackson Elementary replacement

The $54 million project will completely replace the aging elementary school. Students are set to move in by the 2026-27 school year.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Another positive measles case identified in Snohomish County

The case was identified in an infant who likely contracted measles while traveling, the county health department said.

A Tesla drives along 41st Street on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Washington faces uncertain future of Clean Air Act regulations

The Trump administration’s attempt to roll back numerous vehicle pollution standards has left states wondering what’s next.

A person walks through the lot at Kia of Everett shopping for a car on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘The tariffs made me do it’: Customers move fast on cars

At one Everett dealership, customers move fast on cars ahead of Wednesday’s expected announcement on tariffs.

Public’s help needed to find missing Arlington man

The 21-year-old left the house Sunday night without his shoes, cell phone or a jacket, and was reported missing the following morning.

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.