PoliticsTrump-backed Joe Kent was called the winner of the GOP nomination when Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler conceded her reelection race. She is the first incumbent to be defeated in Washington's 3rd Congressional District since 1994.
Four-term Republican congressman Dan Newhouse and Democrat Doug White were the top two finishers out of the primary in Washington's 4th Congressional District. They will face each other in November.
Congressional primaries
Herrera Beutler faced an uphill primary battle in an eight-candidate race to represent Washington's 3rd Congressional District. Her primary opponent was Kent, a retired Army Green Beret who clinched former President Donald Trump's endorsement. The six-term congresswoman was among 10 Republicans to vote to impeach Trump after the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.
Kent will face Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez in November's general election.
Newhouse, who also voted to impeach Trump, faced seven candidates who challenged him to represent Washington's 4th Congressional District. Among them was Loren Culp, a retired law enforcement officer who has been endorsed by Trump.
"A man of the people, Loren will always defend your personal liberty, our under-siege Second Amendment, Election Integrity, and Law Enforcement," Trump wrote in his endorsement.
A crowded, high-profile primary for the US Senate seat held by incumbent Sen. Patty Murray will also take place on Tuesday. The Democratic senator, who is pursuing her sixth term, is facing off against 17 challengers.
Secretary of State
Washington is holding a special election for the office of secretary of state, one of 27 elections for the position taking place in 2022. The elected candidate will oversee the state's elections in 2024.
The seat was held by a Republican for more than half a century, until GOP Secretary of State Kim Wyman stepped down in November 2021 to become the senior election security lead in the Department of Homeland Security. That gave Gov. Jay Inslee a chance to appoint Democratic state Sen. Steve Hobbs as her replacement, ending the Republican reign.
Hobbs will face seven GOP challengers in his race to defend the seat, with lesser-known candidate Marquez Tiggs being his only Democratic opponent.