Election filings ended Friday. Here’s how the two big statewide races look
Two statewide races have attracted an abundance of candidates as Friday’s filing deadline came to a close.
By Friday afternoon’s deadline, 18 candidates had signed up to vie for the U.S. Senate position currently held by incumbent Democrat Patty Murray, and eight people had filed to run for the Secretary of State position held by Democratic appointee Steve Hobbs.
Filings began Monday. Candidates have until Monday to withdraw their filings.
Murray, who was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1993, will face five other Democrats in the race, four independents, three Republicans, and two candidates with no party preference. A “Trump Republican,” “JFK Republican” and one candidate from the Socialist Workers Party also have thrown their hats in the ring.
Her biggest opponent thus far appears to be Republican candidate Tiffany Smiley, who has no previous experience in office but has campaigned as an advocate for veterans and was given the Washington State Republican Party’s endorsement last summer. Smiley’s campaign has so far raised over $4 million, far-surpassing any other candidate other than Murray, whose campaign has raised more than $11.5 million.
Unlike Murray, Hobbs has not been in his current position for long. He was appointed to the Secretary of State position by Gov. Jay Inslee last November after Republican Kim Wyman, Washington’s longtime Secretary of State, was appointed to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Prior to Hobb’s appointment, he was a Washington state Senator for 14 years.
Hobbs will face one other Democrat, but will have three Republican opponents, including former state Sen. Mark Miloscia. One “America First” Republican, one Union Party member and a nonpartisan county auditor also have filed to run for the post.
Hobbs is currently in the lead in fundraising with $222,356. Nonpartisan candidate Julie Anderson, who has been auditor in Pierce County since 2009, has raised $120,102 in campaign funding.
Charlie Boisner, communications director for the Office of the Secretary of State, told McClatchy that the filings for the Secretary of State are “relatively consistent with previous years.”
Primary elections are on Aug. 2. The two top vote-getters in each position will advance to the general election, held on Nov. 8.
The complete list of filings for statewide and congressional races, as well as legislative and judicial races that cover more than one county, can be found at the VoteWA website.
