Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna and Democratic former U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee advanced through Washington state's primary Tuesday night and will face each other on the November ballot for governor.

Early results Tuesday night had Inslee with 47 percent of the vote and McKenna with 43 percent, putting them far ahead of seven other contenders in the gubernatorial contest.

Under the state's "top two" primary system, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party.

McKenna and Inslee have each raised more than $7 million already, and their campaigns have been focused against each other for months.

They are vying to replace Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire, who is not seeking a third term.

In another statewide race, U.S. Maria Cantwell advanced to the November ballot, along with Republican state Sen. Michael Baumgartner. Voters are also choosing candidates for lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, three state Supreme Court seats and dozens of legislative seats.

"I think this primary is one of the most interesting and potentially exciting we've had in years," Secretary of State Sam Reed said.

Washington and three other states - Kansas, Michigan and Missouri - are holding primaries Tuesday.

All of Washington's 3.7 million voters receive their ballots by mail, and had to have them postmarked and in the mail by Tuesday or dropped off at specialized boxes around the state by 8 p.m. Ballots were sent out last month.

Reed is predicting a 46 percent turnout. The average of the last six primaries in similar election years is 43 percent, and the highest primary turnout in recent years was 45.8 percent in 1992.

Under the state's "top two" primary system, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party.

All 10 congressional seats are on the ballot, but most eyes will be on the competitive 1st District. Voters for the newly redistricted seat - which runs from northern King County to the Canadian border - have five Democrats, one Republican and one independent to choose from.

Republican John Koster was leading in early returns with more than 40 percent of the vote and expected to easily advance to November. Former Microsoft executive Suzan DelBene, a Democrat, was leading for the second spot with more than 20 percent of the early vote, followed by political activist Darcy Burner, who had more than 14 percent.

Other Democrats vying for the new 1st District two-year term are state Sen. Steve Hobbs; former state Rep. Laura Ruderman; and Bothell high-tech entrepreneur Darshan Rauniyar. Independent Larry Ishmael also is seeking to make it through the primary.

Voters in the old 1st District - which includes Kitsap County - also will vote in a special election for the final month of Inslee's term. Many of the same candidates are in that race.

In the race for lieutenant governor, Lt. Gov. Brad Owen advanced to November with 49 percent of the vote. Former Republican state Sen. Bill Finkbeiner had the second highest amount of votes in early returns with 25 percent.

An open seat for Washington's top election official also has attracted a large crowd. Kim Wyman, Thurston County's Republican auditor advanced through the primary with 39 percent of the vote. Trailing for the second spot were Democrat Kathleen Drew, a former state senator and former aide to Gregoire, who had 21.5 percent of the vote, and Democrat Greg Nickels, a former Seattle mayor who had 16 percent of the vote in early returns.

In the race to replace retiring Auditor Brian Sonntag, Republican James Watkins advanced through the primary with more than 45 percent of the vote. Rep. Troy Kelley of Tacoma had more than 24 percent, and Sen. Craig Pridemore of Vancouver had more than 20 percent as they battled for the second spot.

In some races, the primary will be more decisive. The three seats for state Supreme Court, as well as the race for the state's top education post, are subject to special rules that allow any candidate who gets more than 50 percent of the vote to advance alone to the general election ballot.

Randy Dorn, the current superintendent of public instruction, advanced by more than 54 percent, a large enough margin that he can advance to the general ballot unopposed.

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