Primary Elections

Washington Primary Elections 2026

Primary date, filing deadlines, key contested races, and what to watch in Washington ahead of the 2026 general election.

August 4, 2026
Primary Date
None (top-two advance)
Runoff / RCV
May 2026
Filing Deadline
Moderate — WA-3 is top competi
Competitiveness

Key 2026 Primary Races

U.S. Senate Patty Murray (D) up 2028; Maria Cantwell up 2024 (just won)
Governor Bob Ferguson (D) just elected 2024 — not up until 2028
U.S. House WA-3 (Marie Gluesenkamp Perez D) competitive

2026 Primary Overview

Washington uses a jungle primary (top-two advance). WA-3 (Marie Gluesenkamp Perez) is one of the most competitive House races nationally. No major statewide federal races in 2026.

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Generic Ballot Democrats48.1% Republicans41.1% D+7 Trump Approval Approve39% Disapprove58% Senate D47 R53 House D213 R222 Generic Ballot Tracker Trump Approval Senate 2026 House 2026 Latest Analysis