THE earlier primary this year — Aug. 7 — has everyone thinking about politics earlier than usual, including The Times editorial board. Ballots will be mailed Friday to Washington voters.

We’re still interviewing candidates for our recommendations in selected races for the primary. Below is a brief recap with more to come through the week.

Statewide

Governor – Rob McKenna (July 1)

Lieutenant governor – Brad Owen (June 19)

Insurance commissioner – Mike Kreidler (July 6)

Superintendent of public instruction – Randy Dorn (July 3)

Washington Supreme Court:

Position 2 – Susan Owens (July 6)

Position 8 – Steve Gonzalez (July 6)

Position 9 – Bruce Hilyer (June 20)

Legislature

1st District:

Senate – Dawn McCravey (July 2)

House, Position 1 – Derek Stanford (July 2)

5th District

House, Position 2 -- Chad Magendanz ( July 16)

32nd District

House, Position 2 -- Ruth Kagi (July 16)

36th District:

House, Position 1 – Reuven Carlyle (July 2)

House, Position 2 – Gael Tarleton (July 2)

41st District

Senate -- Steve Litzow (July 17)

44th District

House, Position 1 -- Mark Harmsworth (July 20)

45th District

House Position 1 – Joel Hussey (July 5)

Congress

U.S. Senate -- Maria Cantwell and Michael Baumgartner (July 19)

1st District (newly drawn) – Steve Hobbs (June 24)

1st District (current — 1-month term) – Steve Hobbs (write-in) (June 27)

2nd District -- Dan Matthews and Rick Larsen (July 18)

6th District – Bill Driscoll and Derek Kilmer (July 7)

8th District – Dave Reichert (July 12)

10th District -- Denny Heck (July 19)

Ballot Measures

King County Proposition 1, Children and Family Services Center Capital Levy — YES (June 26)

Seattle Library Levy -- NO (July 16)

To come: King County Superior Court races, selected legislative and congressional races.