Primary election results finalized

The Washington state Secretary of State certified final August primary election results, which hint at a tight November 8 race. The top two candidates for each position who received the most votes continue onto the general election. 

About 48.2 percent, or 74,914, of registered Whatcom County voters turned out for the August 2 primary election. 

Sharon Shewmake (D) and incumbent Simon Sefzik (R) will head to the November election for the 42nd legislative district state senate seat. Shewmake received 47.1 percent of the votes, while Sefzik received 33.1 percent of votes. 

Incumbent Alicia Rule (D) and Tawsha (Dykstra) Thompson are the top two candidates for the 42nd legislative district state representative position 1 seat. Rule received 48.7 percent of votes, while Thompson received 35.2. 

Joe Timmons (D) and Dan Johnson (R) will challenge each other for the 42nd legislative district state representative position 2 seat. Timmons received 28.9 percent of the vote, and Johnson received 27.9. 

Eric Richey (D) will run without opposition to retain his position as Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney. 

Jonathan Rands and Gordon M. Jenkins will run for Whatcom County District Court judge position 2. Rands received 42.3 percent of votes and Jenkins 35.4 percent. The position was left without an incumbent. 

Statewide, Steve Hobbs (D) will face Julie Anderson (nonpartisan) for the secretary of state seat. Hobbs received 39.9 percent of the statewide vote and Anderson received 12.8 percent. County votes followed state results, with Hobbs receiving 39.5 percent of the county’s vote and Anderson receiving 14 percent of the county’s vote.

Incumbent Rick Larsen (D) and Dan Matthews (R) will run against each other for U.S. Congressional District 2 Representative. In total, Larsen received 45.8 percent of votes, while Matthews received 17 percent. County votes were similar to state results, with Larsen receiving 41 percent and Matthews receiving 23.3 percent of county votes.

Incumbent Patty Murray (D) will go against Tiffany Smiley (R) for U.S. Senator in November. Murray received 52.2 percent and Smiley received 33.7 percent of statewide votes. County votes followed statewide voting trends, with Murray receiving 52 percent and Smiley receiving 36 percent. 

About 40.4 percent of registered voters turned out statewide for the primaries.

For more detailed results, visit bit.ly/3Jw0hWL.