Video: KING 5 primary election coverage

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OLYMPIA, Wash. - Voters got their say Tuesday on who should advance to the general election in dozens of state races as Washington's "top two" primary made its debut, with early results showing no surprises in the races for governor, state treasurer and schools chief.

With about 24 percent of the expected vote counted in the gubernatorial race, Gov. Chris Gregoire had about 48 percent of the vote, and her Republican challenger Dino Rossi had nearly 46 percent, and both advanced easily to the general election in November.

The two will now reprise their historically close 2004 matchup, which saw Gregoire win the governor's mansion by just 133 votes.

Seattle Time's chief political correspondent David Postman expects the gloves to really come off now.

"It's gonna only be rougher and tougher than it was four years ago," he said. "It is going to be meaner than it was up until now. I've heard people complaining about the negative ads, you ain't seen nothing yet."

Gregoire said she was pleased with preliminary results.

"Now I'm not going to take anything for granted," she said. "We're working as hard as ever. We're going to talk about the issues, the values and priorities of the working families of Washington state."

Rossi spoke to his supporters as results came in.

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With about a quarter of the expected vote counted in the gubernatorial race, Gov. Chris Gregoire had about 48 percent of the vote, and Dino Rossi had nearly 46 percent.

"I want to make Washington state the worst place in America to be a criminal, and the best place in America to start a business. I think folks at home will go, 'you know what? I think actually we could use some of that,'" he said.

Secretary of State Sam Reed said the new "top two primary" process went smoothly across the state. Under this election system, the top two vote-getters in each race -- regardless of party -- will go on the general-election ballot.

"This new system fits our political heritage so well. It's exactly the way people want to vote - 'Vote for the person, not the party," Reed said in statement released to the press. "I predict that this wide-open and engaging manner of voting could catch on in other states."

Reed noted it would be a while until they knew the voter turnout, since so many people voted by mail.

More results

While all eyes were on the governor's race, the race for state treasurer was the only one where there was even a small bit of mystery. Treasurer Mike Murphy is stepping down after three terms, and crossed party lines to endorse Republican Alan Martin, his top deputy. Martin moved through to the general election with about 45 percent of the vote. Democratic state Rep. Jim McIntire, an economist and former House Finance Committee chairman, also advanced with about 40 percent.

Both edged out Democrat ChangMook Sohn, who was the state's chief economist for more than two decades.

-In another closely watched race, Republican Congressman Dave Reichert and Democratic challenger Darcy Burner advanced to the general election in the 8th District of Seattle's eastern suburbs. It will be a rematch of their 2006 contest.

"The results tonight are really fantastic," Burner said. "The voters in this district are telling us that they want to change the direction of our country, so let's do everything we can to give them what they want come November."

-Voters also advanced Republican Secretary of State Sam Reed and Democrat Jason Osgood to the general election. Reed had nearly 58 percent of the vote in early returns; Osgood had about 34 percent.

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This was the first time since 2003 that Washington voters were able to skip back and forth along party lines to pick a favorite candidate for each office.

-Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson also moved on to the November general election, and challenger Randy Dorn was in line to advance as well.

Bergeson, running for her fourth term, faced five challengers in Tuesday's primary. Dorn, a former legislator, teacher and principal, had about 30 percent of the vote in early returns. With about 20 percent of the expected vote counted, Bergeson had 42 percent.

-Other races included lieutenant governor, where incumbent Democrat Brad Owen easily advanced with 52 percent of the vote. State Auditor Brian Sonntag and Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, both Democrats, advanced to the general election. All three face weak opposition in November.

-Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna faced Democratic challenger Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg, and Republican Public Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland faced Democrat Peter Goldmark. All four advanced under the top two format, since there weren't any third challengers in either race.

-State Supreme Court Justices Charles Johnson and Mary Fairhurst also were top vote-getters for re-election and will be unopposed in the general election.

Turnout, reaction

Secretary of State Reed has predicted a 46 percent turnout, and county officials surveyed by The Associated Press supported that forecast. The state's 39 counties' turnout expectations ranged from a low of 35 percent in Adams County to a high of 62 percent in Jefferson County.

If expectations hold, it would be the highest turnout since 1972, when turnout was more than 49 percent.

"This is such an important election," Reed said. "It's become more important with the top two. If you want your candidate in the general, you can't assume they will be there."

Reed cited the novelty of the new top two system, along with general interest in elections during a presidential and gubernatorial campaign year.

The new system sets up the possibility for a general election between two candidates from the same party. That is exactly what is shaping up in the 36th Legislative District in Seattle, where democrats Reuven Carlyle and John Burbank out-muscled republican Leslie Bloss.

"I think that's actually a healthy thing, because it is the people selecting who goes into November, not the parties, so the people are picking the top two candidates they think are the best, which means we may have real races going on in November," Reed said.

Voter Judith Bader had no problem dealing with the new "top-two" system, but regrets seeing polling places slip away. Voting by mail is due to replace voting in person next year in King and Pierce counties.

"We walk here. We see our neighbors. We notice who's voted. Who's coming next," said Judith Bader. "I don't want to do it through the mail."