SPOKANE, Wash. – Washington’s primary election on Tuesday will shrink the field from 11 candidates to 2 candidates in the race for the 5th congressional district.
Cathy McMorris Rodgers has represented the 5th congressional district since the 2004 election, and Clayton says the party will likely retain the seat.
That’s because Clayton says congressional districts, unlike statewide races, are usually highly gerrymandered to protect the party that is in power.
He also says about 90% of incumbents get reelected in congressional races.
Remember, Washington is a top 2 primary, so the leading vote getters will be on the ballot come November, even if they are in the same party.
Clayton says the same issues that are important for the general election will be important for all statewide elections. Topics like the economy, abortion, and immigration will be on the top of people’s minds when they vote.
Races like this are especially important because of the potential longevity of the position.
“Once somebody is elected to office,” said Clayton. “They tend to have a safe seat, they get re elected easily, and they tend to want to stay in power because their power increases…”
Clayton also says voting in this gubernatorial race is important, but for other reasons.
For the first time since 2012, in just a few months, the state of Washington will have a new governor. And while congressional races can focus more on appealing to one party or the other, the gubernatorial race is all about reaching out to those in the middle, per Clayton.
That’s why Clayton says the race for governor is usually competitive. Because it is a statewide election, candidates must appeal to both sides o the aisle.
While many states have term limits for governor, Washington does not, which is why jay Inslee is the longest-standing current governor in the U.S., having served 3-terms.
Now there are dozens of candidates hoping to replace him, but after this primary, there will only be two.
Because of the nature of the race being statewide, Clayton predicts one republican and one democrat to make it to the next vote, which could end up being a very close race.
“Statewide races of course are extremely important,” said Clayton. “Every vote counts, and like I [said], many gubernatorial races come down to a fraction of percentage points, a few thousand votes or less.
Just like the congressional races, Clayton says it’s the same key topics, the economy, abortion and immigration that could decide the gubernatorial race. That’s why it’s important to vote.
