Republican Doug Cloud likely will once again challenge Rep. Norm Dicks, a Democrat, for the 6th Congressional District seat in the Nov. 4 general election.
Incumbent Dicks, of Belfair, was leading his three challengers with 51,953 votes, or about 58 percent, district-wide in the Tuesday primary election, as about 22.24 percent of votes statewide had been counted.
“We are very pleased with the numbers,” said Dicks, 67, who is seeking a 17th term, from his campaign office in Tacoma.
“I don’t see things changing much from the last primaries.”
Cloud, 50, of Gig Harbor had received 25,925 votes, or 29 percent, as of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” he said, in reference to the top-two primary system used in this election.
“But it’s good to know that I’ll maintain that position going into the general election.”
Democratic candidate Paul Richmond, 47, of Port Townsend had received 8,388 votes, or about 9 percent.
Green Party candidate Gary Murrell, 61, of Hoquiam had received 3,145 votes, or about 3.5 percent.
For vote tallies as of Tuesday night in Clallam and Jefferson counties, see Page A6.
In the top-two primary system, the two candidates receiving the most votes, no matter what party affiliation, are selected go on to the general election.
The 6th Congressional District includes Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Mason, Kitsap counties and parts of Tacoma.
Clallam County totals reflect the 12,128 ballots that been received through Thursday, said Patty Rosand, Clallam County Auditor, who estimated another 7,000 ballots were still to be counted.
In Jefferson County, about 10,828 ballots had been counted Tuesday, with another 1,000 ballots expected to be counted, Jefferson County Auditor Donna Eldridge said.
