Will this happen in Washington anymore?

[bgwah]

Now that Washington has a top two primary, what are the chances that both candidates will be from the same party?

Looking at past primary results, one can see that in 1976, 1980, and 1996, the top two vote-getters in the primaries were both Democrats. This also happened in the 1970 and 1976 senate elections, as well as several other statewide offices--all two democrats.

2004
38.73-Gregoire (D)*
34.15-Rossi (R)
17.55-Sims (D)

2000
54.23-Gary Locke (D)*
34.52-John Carlson (R)

1996
23.65-Gary Locke (D)*
17.50-Norman Rice (D)
15.26-Ellen Craswell (R)
13.37-Dale Foreman (R)

1992
29.23-Mike Lowry (D)*
22.37-Ken Eikenberry (R)
21.67-Sid Morrison (R)
12.47-Dan McDonald (R)

1988
57.64-Booth Gardner (D)*
20.07-Bob Williams (R)
14.89-Norm Maleng (R)

1984
46.07-Booth Gardner (D)*
26.20-John Spellman (R)
22.91 Jim McDermott (D)

1980
33.04-Jim McDermott (D)
24.09-Dixie Lee Ray (D)
16.70-John Spellman (R)*
15.91-Duane Berentson (R)

1976
24.09-Dixie Lee Ray (D)*
23.28-Wes Uhlman (D)
21.77-John Spellman (R)
16.00-Marvin Durning (D)
13.14-Harley Hoppe (R)

1972
30.27-Albert D. Rosellini (D)
24.66-Daniel J. Evans (R)*
21.48-Martin J. Durkan (D)
11.00-Perry B. Woodall (R)
10.87-Jim McDermott (D)




Will parties make an effort not to divide their vote up too much? Or, if only one main candidate is running, will they still get their base out to make sure they get into the general?

[bgwah]

It very well could if we have a popular incumbnent or a very close race and the Republican vote is heavily split.

Maybe we could get some 3rd parties in there! Oh wait, nevermind. They'd only make it in WA-7. And even then the Democrats would still win.

Maybe the American Heritage Party can make a comeback in Eastern Washington.

[bgwah]

It very well could if we have a popular incumbnent or a very close race and the Republican vote is heavily split.

Maybe we could get some 3rd parties in there! Oh wait, nevermind. They'd only make it in WA-7. And even then the Democrats would still win.

Maybe the American Heritage Party can make a comeback in Eastern Washington.

The American Heritage Party did well in Eastern Washington at one time? That's scary. When?

EHhhh, sort of. In 1998 they got over 5% in the 4th and 5th districts for congress. But still 3rd. Not TOO impressive.

What I'm remembering is District 14 rep#1 for legislature.

They got 2nd place with 23.22%.


They seem to have disappeared after 1998 though.

[bgwah]

Could voters vote in either party's primary before? (I'm assuming they could, since otherwise those figures of yours are only explainable through heavy turnout swings - jsut askign to be sure)

I think so....You could pick a Democrat for Senate and a Republican for governor.

It's basically the same thing now--except that instead of the top person from each party it's the top two people period.