Saturday's Primary

Hawaii Senate
This is a very interesting race, one which ranks right up there with Connecticut and Rhode Island for intriguing inter-party squabbles. Senator Daniel Akaka (D) faces a challenge from the more pro-war Congressman Ed Case (D), and the polling data indicates an extremely close race. Frankly, I'd be very, very surprised if Case pulled this one off, but who knows. The Republicans in the race are an afterthought, but their names are Mark Beatty, Gerald Coffey (whose campaign was suspended due to serious illness), Charles Collins, Jay Friedheim, Edward Pirkowski, and Steve Tataii.

Hawaii Governor
Governor Linda Lingle (R) pulled off a surprising win in 2002, in a state typically dominated by Democrats. She faces challenges from George Berish, Paul Manner, and George Peabody, and should win easily. On the Democratic side, William Aila, Jr., Randy Iwase, and Van Tanabe are running. I don't know who the favorite is, so I'll pick Randy Iwase.

Hawaii CD 1
Congressman Neil Abercrombie (D) faces a primary challenge from Alexandra Kaan which he will easily survive. Republicans Noah Hough, II and Mark Terry are competing to determine who will lose to Abercrombie in November.

Hawaii CD 2
With Congressman Ed Case (D) running for the Senate, there is an open seat to be had. That's brought out no less than 10 Democrats for this race. In order of money raised, they are: Mazie Hirono, Colleen Wakako Hanabusa, Brian Emanuel Schatz, Clayton Hee, Gary Hooser, Ron Menor, Matt Matsunaga, Nestor Garcia, Joe Zuiker, and Hanalei Aipoalani. Hirono will probably win. On the Republican side, Quentin Kawananakoa faces State Senator Bob Hogue. Kawananakoa has raised significantly more cash, and should win the primary. I expect that to be a Pyrrhic victory.

Tuesday's Primary Results

Massachusetts Governor
Being Attorney General wasn't enough for Tom Reilly, who finished dead last in this 3-way primary to determine the Democratic candidate for Governor. Instead, it was Deval Patrick who picked up 50% of the vote, and who will go on to face Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey (R) in November.

Massachusetts Senate
In a nailbiter, Ken Chase (R) beat Kevin Scott (R) 51%-49% to win the Republican nomination for Senate. Somewhere, Ted Kennedy yawns.

Massachusetts CD 9
Steve Lynch (D) picked up 77% of the vote in easily winning the nomination for this seat. He will face Jack Robinson, III (R) in November.

Washington Senate
Senator Maria Cantwell (D) picked up 95% of the vote, and Mike McGavick (R) picked up 85% of the vote. Why were people running against them, exactly? Oh well . . . now the race can "officially" begin.

Washington CD 2
Doug Roulstone (R) picked up 76% of the vote, and advances to face Congressman Rick Larsen (D) in November.

Washington CD 3
Michael Messmore (R) won 66% of the vote on the way to winning his primary. His opponent in November will be Congressman Brian Baird (D).

Washington CD 4
Richard Wright (D) easily won his primary, picking up 85% of the vote. He'll face Congressman Doc Hastings (R), who picked up a safe but not exceptional 76% in being re-nominated.

Washington CD 7
Congressman Jim McDermott (D) was unfazed by his two primary opponents, as he obliterated them by picking up 92% of the vote. He will face Steve Beren (R) in November.

Today's Primaries

Massachusetts Senate
Believe it or not, Republicans are trying to contest Senator Ted Kennedy's (D) seat. They hold a primary today to determine which of the candidates will earn the honor of being one of the biggest losers this November. The competitors are Kan Chase (who was endorsed by the party) and Kevin Scott. But really, do you even need to know their names?

Massachusetts Governor
With popular Governor Mitt Romney (R) retiring to pursue the Presidency, the Democrats have an excellent chance to retake one of the most out-of-place Republican-held seats in the country. A three way battle has emerged between the Dems, with Chris Gabrieli, Deval Patrick, and Attorney General Tom Reilly running. Reilly should be the favorite, due to his proven ability to win statewide office and likely name recognition. The winner will face Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey (R), who probably will only be able to win if she can get the public to associate her with Romney's fairly succesful administration.

Massachusetts CD 9
Congressman Stephen Lynch (D) faces a primary challenge from Phil Dunkelbarger, who barely registers on the fundraising lists. The result should be a very, very easy win for Lynch, followed by a trouncing of Jack Robinson, III (R), one of the few Republicans running for a Congressional seat in Massachussetts.

Washington Senate
There are numerous challengers on both sides of these primaries, but everyone already knows that the real candidates will be Senator Maria Cantwell (D) and Mike McGavick (R). Before they make that official, they have to take out the following competitors: Dems - Michael Nelson, Mohammad Said, Mike "The Mover," Hong Thi Tran; Reps - William Chovil, Warren Hanson, Brad Klippert, B. Barry Massoudi, and Gordon Pross.

Washington CD 2
Doug Roulstone (R) is the likely winner against underfunded Teri Moats. The winner will face Congressman Rick Larsen (D) in November.

Washington CD 3
Michael Messmore (R) and Daniel Miller (R) face off in a race where neither has a significant advantage. Messmore has slightly more money, so I'll pick him as the likely winner. The winner will face Congressman Brian Baird (D) in November.

Washington CD 4
Congressman Doc Hastings (R) faces a primary challenge from Claude Oliver (R) which shouldn't be a problem. On the Democratic side, likely winner Richard Wright will face off against Lewis Picton.

Washington CD 7
Congressman Jim McDermott (D) faces weak primary challenges from erstwhile Republican Donovan Rivers (who filed originally as a Republican and then became a Dem on 7/24), and Joshua Smith. After McDermott wins, he'll face Republican Steve Beren in November.