Congressional incumbents do well

If there was an anti-incumbent mood in the country, it didn’t make itself felt in Washington state.

All of the incumbent congress members seemed to come out of the Primary election with optimism ahead for the General election.

In the First Congressional District Jay Inslee had 57 percent of the vote.  In the Second Congressional District Rick Larsen only managed 42 percent of the vote, but came out ahead of his Republican opponent John Koster who had 40 percent.  If there is a problem district for incumbents then this is it. But Larsen has never had an easy race and has faced Koster before and prevailed.

In the Third Congressional District, with an open seat, the top two were Denny Heck and Jamie Herrera.  Democrat Heck had 32  percent while Herrera had  27 percent.  The total vote between Republicans and Democrats was almost equal.  This race will be decided on money not incumbency.

In the Fourth Congressional District incumbent Doc Hastings had 68 percent of the vote.  In the Fifth Congressional District incumbent Cathy McMorris Rodgers had 62 percent.   In the Sixth Congressional District incumbent  Norm Dicks had 58 percent.  In the Seventh  Congressional District incumbent Jim McDermott had 79 percent.

In the Eighth Congressional District incumbent Dave Reichert had 48 percent of the vote.  Reichert has never had an easy race and the Democrats always seem to have him in their sights.  But Reichert is well-liked and respected and always comes out on top.

In the Ninth Congressional District incumbent  Adam Smith had 52 percent.

If there was a big anti-incumbent mood among the voters, it didn’t show up in the Primary election.  Maybe in November, when it really counts, we’ll see an impact, but I doubt it.  I think the anti-incumbent concept is a media created event.