Allan Martin

Rep. Jim McIntire, candidate for state treasurer: Politicker PhotoState Rep. Jim McIntire, who retired this year in order to make a run for state treasurer, appears well-positioned to continue on to the general election despite the presence of fellow Democrat ChangMook Sohn in the primary, the well-funded and well-respected chief economist for the state. It was widely expected to be one of the closest races of the night between second and third place candidates.

At the end of the night McIntire narrowly trailed Assistant State Treasurer Allan Martin, a Republican, in statewide polling but held a large lead over Sohn. With 766,357 votes counted, Martin had 44.3 percent of the vote compared to 40.7 percent for McIntire and 15.0 percent for Sohn.

The state's two major party chairmen both painted a rosy picture of their respective factions' outlooks heading into the general election once all of the primary votes are counted.

Democrat Dwight Pelz felt particularly strong about the state's two most hotly contested reaces and Republican Luke Esser had high hopes for the slate of Republican statewide hopefuls.

Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon (D-Everett) and King County Executive Ron Sims (D-Seattle) both announced this week that they are endorsing Chang Mook Sohn (D-Federal Way) for state treasurer.

Reardon cited the expertise of Sohn, who has served as the state's chief economist since the 1980s, on the state's economy and his political integrity in making his choice.

"No one knows Washington state's economy better than ChangMook Sohn," said Reardon."Dr. Sohn never changed the facts to satisfy politicians' spending plans. He just told it like it was - and he was always right."

UPDATE:

Sims, who also endorses Rep. Jim McIntire (D-Seattl) for the post, banked on Sohn's long experience in praising Sohn.

"Dr. Sohn has the experience to be state treasurer: he's been the state's top economist for more than two decades; he's founded a bank; and he's taught economics at two state universities," Sims said.

Rep. Jim McIntire, candidate for state treasurer: Politicker PhotoThe Democratic Party delegates have voted overwhelmingly to make state Rep. Jim McIntire (D-Seattle) its official nominee for state treasurer. McIntire has represented the 46th Legislative District for the past ten years and holds a Ph. D in economics. He defeated Chang Mook Sohn, the state's chief economist.l

In his speech to the voting delegates, McIntire talked up his experience as an elected official.

 "This is not just a technical challenge. This is a leadership challenge," he said.

May is the second in a monthly PolitickerWA.com series of the financial status of some of the state's top races.

Here is how things stand as of May 31, 2008. The first number listed is contributions, the second number is expenditures and the third number is the difference between the two. Precluding any unusual circumstances, that third number is equal to cash on hand. The candidate with the most cash on hand is listed at the top of each section.

All numbers below are in the thousands of dollars, unless otherwise noted. See April's figures here.

Monday was the deadline for reporting April contributions and expenditures for campaigns here in Washington. Now that six months remain until election day, PolitickerWA.com will begin a monthly rundown of the financial status of the state's top races.

Here is how things stand as of April 30, 2008. The first number listed is contributions, the second number is expenditures and the third number is the difference between the two. Precluding any unusual circumstances, that third number is equal to cash on hand. The candidate with the most cash on hand is listed at the top of each section.

Multiple sources are reporting this morning that ChangMook Sohn, the director of the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council, has announced his bid to run for State Treasurer. Sohn, the state's chief economist, will run as a Democrat, and according to his website will tout his economic bona fides and bipartisan stature in his race for the office.