Reflections on Tuesday’s showdown

Notes, quotes and anecdotes in the aftermath of Washington state’s top-two primary:

• We the people … — A Seattle Times editorial offers two examples that support the greatness of the top-two primary. In the 38th Legislative District (Everett), Democrat challenger Nick Harper got 35 percent of the primary vote, incumbent Democrat state Sen. Jean Berkey received 33 percent, and Republican challenger Rod Rieger got 31 percent. So two Democrats advanced. That’s what the people wanted, and what party leaders wanted didn’t matter. In the 14th District (Yakima), incumbent Republican Rep. Norm Johnson got 45 percent, Republican Michelle Strobel 34 percent, and Democrat Scott Brumback 21 percent. So two Republicans advanced. That’s what the people wanted. Any questions?

• Endorsements box score — Among The Columbian’s recommendations, 77.5 percent of endorsees advanced or won. This includes three ballot measures, where two of the paper’s recommendations were followed (we opposed the library levy measure, which on Friday was headed toward approval). But consider this boilerplate reminder about endorsements: The goal is not a high batting average; it is merely to express opinions (nothing more, and all glaringly arguable) on separate races. The only reason I mention the percentage is to contradict any contention that The Columbian is out of touch with voters. Through the years, about two-thirds to three-fourths of Columbian endorsees typically have succeeded.

• Seismic activity in Olympia? — As giddy Republicans ponder their chances of reclaiming the majority in the Legislature, former state GOP chairman Chris Vance writes this for crosscut.com about the state Senate: “Republicans need a net gain of seven seats to take a 25-24 majority. … Republicans will gain seats in the Senate, but they would have to run the table in order to take the majority. Still, (primary) results clearly demonstrate that with the right candidates and a more favorable national atmosphere, Republicans can win back the secular suburban moderates who hold the key to victory on the West Coast.

• In the state House: “Looking at the primary results, Republicans currently have 40 seats in the ‘safe’ or ‘likely’ category. Democrats can count 44 seats safe or likely. This leaves 14 seats that will likely decide the majority, with Republicans needing to win 10 of 14 to secure a 50-48 majority. The battle for the House could become very close.”

• Go big or go home — Why would anyone run for elected office but then not campaign? Beats me. Anthony Bittner’s stealth bid for 18th District state rep appealed to 1.49 percent of the voters. Mystery man Jack King O’Neal III fared a little better in his silent run for Vancouver City Council, raking in 9.3 percent of the votes. Those two races combined, that’s 2,534 votes for the most timid among the combatants.

• “If you’re not first, you’re last!” — If Ricky Bobby had understood the top-two primary, he might not have snarled that immortal line in the movie “Talladega Nights.” In our state’s primary, second place is just fine, thank you. In fact, third-place finisher Clint Didier even had a triumphant strut in the aftermath of the U.S. Senate race. He crowed on his website Wednesday: “As a coach, I always tell my team that you never give up until the last seconds are off the clock. And team, the game clock is still ticking.” Dude, you just got 12.6 percent, less than half of what the top two drivers got. Listen to Ricky.

• Toothless rogues — Every year we hear the same buoyant prophecy: “By golly, this is the year when we finally tame the partisan Democrats and Republicans and let the independent voices be heard.” And every year that boast fizzles at the ballot boxes. Eight candidates on Clark County ballots identified themselves as neither Republican nor Democrat. Each received less than 8 percent of the votes, five of them less than 3 percent.

• Move over, macho men — There’s good news today for those of us who believe (1) most of government’s problems are caused by testosterone overload, and (2) we need more women leaders. On Tuesday, nine women ran for local offices in Clark County. All nine succeeded (won or advanced to the election). When races for U.S. Senate and House are factored in, 83.3 percent of women on local ballots succeeded.

John Laird is The Columbian’s editorial page editor. His column of personal opinion appears each Sunday. Reach him at john.laird@columbian.com.