OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Democrat Denny Heck and Republican state Rep. Jaime Herrera took an early lead in the primary contest for the seat of retiring Democratic U.S. Rep. Brian Baird.
With 49 percent of the expected vote counted, Heck led with 33 percent and Herrera had 27 percent. Republicans David Hedrick and David Castillo followed with 14 percent 10 percent, respectively. The top two vote getters in the primary will advance to the November ballot.
Herrera is a former aide to GOP Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers and got early national buzz after six-term incumbent Baird announced his retirement last year.
Castillo, a former chief of staff to the state House GOP caucus who also worked in the Bush administration, was in the race months before Baird’s announcement.
