Bellingham real estate agent Larry Klepinger was leading three Republican candidates hoping to unseat U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., on Nov. 2.
None of the three – Klepinger, Island County Auditor Suzanne Sinclair or Camano Island businessman Glenn Coggeshell – was given much chance of defeating two-term incumbent Larsen, who ran unopposed in the 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary.
Klepinger narrowly led Sinclair, with Coggeshell trailing.
Larsen has amassed a campaign war chest of $1.2 million, compared with $40,000 raised by the three Republicans combined.
The 2nd District stretches from Everett to the Canadian border.
In the 1st Congressional District, representing north King and south Snohomish counties, incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee had no primary opponent, and unopposed Republican challenger Randy Eastwood isn’t expected to pose a threat in November.
The high-profile congressional races were elsewhere in the state.
Radio talk-show host Dave Ross took a hefty lead in the Democratic primary for the 8th Congressional District, while Republicans backed King County Sheriff Dave Reichert by a wide margin in early returns. The two front-runners will vie for the seat of retiring U.S. Rep. Jennifer Dunn, R-Wash.
The suburbs east and southeast of Seattle haven’t sent a Democrat to Congress since the district was created more than two decades ago, but changes in the booming area created a battleground, with multiple candidates from both parties in Tuesday’s primary.
Ross’ morning talk show has a national following hooked on his straight talk and self-deprecating style. Reichert is best known for his dogged and successful hunt for the Green River serial killer.
East of the mountains, state Rep. Cathy McMorris of Colville, a conservative who has spent most of her adult life in elected office, took a strong lead in Tuesday’s primary for the Republican nomination for the 5th Congressional District seat in the Spokane area.
McMorris led state Sen. Larry Sheahan of Spokane, with Spokane attorney Shaun Cross trailing.
The winner will face millionaire businessman Donald Barbieri, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary, for the House seat being vacated by Republican U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt. Democrats have identified the 5th District race as one of their best chances in the nation to gain a seat.
Elsewhere in the state:
* 3rd Congressional District, running from Olympia south to the Oregon border: Incumbent Brian Baird defeated a token opponent, while two largely unknown Republicans competed for the GOP nomination.
* 4th Congressional District, covering central Washington from Canada to Oregon: Incumbent Republican Doc Hastings was unopposed. In the Democratic primary, Tri-Cities civic leader Sandy Matheson led handily over Craig Mason and Richard Wright.
* 6th Congressional District, stretching from Pierce County across the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas: Veteran Democrat U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks drew no challenger in the primary and will face Republican Doug Cloud, who was also unopposed.
* 7th Congressional District, representing heavily Democratic Seattle: Longtime liberal firebrand U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott was unopposed and will face Republican Carol Cassady in November.
* 9th Congressional District, centrist Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Adam Smith drew no primary challenger, while two unknown Republicans competed for a chance to face him on Nov. 2.
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