While there are still several uncertain races around the state, many races weren't as close as pundits and polls had predicted. To name a few:
Lt. Gov. Brad Owen easily beat Republican Marcia McGraw, 61 percent to 39 percent.
Republican Secretary of State Sam Reed defeated Democratic challenger Jason Osgood, 58-42.
Democratic state Auditor Brian Sonntag beat Republican J. Richard McEntee, 63-37.
Incumbent Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna defeated Democrat John Ladenburg, 58-42.
Incumbent Democratic Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler beat Republican John Adams, 61-39.
Democrat Reuven Carlyle defeated fellow Democrat John Burbank in the race to fill outgoing state Rep. Helen Sommers' 36th Legislative District seat, 65-35.
Democrat Scott White defeated Democrat Gerry Pollet 71 percent to 29 percent in the 46th Legislative District race.
Finally, Tim Eyman's Initiative 985, which polls said was in a dead-heat last week, went down in flames Tuesday. Nearly 60 percent of voters opposed the measure, while only 40 supported it.
In a statement sent before the results were conclusive, Eyman declared the initiative a success regardless of victory or defeat in the polls.
Whether 985 receives over 50% of the vote or not, it will be impossible for state and local governments to go back to business-as-usual thanks the 985 campaign. They will have to perform better and respond better -- they will have to work harder at implementing Auditor Sonntag's growing list of recommendations. 985 also forced a debate that was long overdue -- how to get state and local governments to do better, not by raising taxes, but by spending existing revenue more effectively. ... 985 put politicians on the hot seat, forcing them to explain and justify themselves to the people. That's always a good thing.
