# 2008 Washington elections

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Washington has 9 Executive seats, all elected at large. In 2008, all 9 positions were up for reelection. As of 2025, this was the last set of statewide elections in Washington in which any Republicans won by double digits.

## Offices and Candidates
### Governor

Incumbent Democratic governor Christine Gregoire ran for re-election, defeating Republican nominee Dino Rossi. In contrast to the previous election, where Gregoire narrowly defeated Rossi by only 129 votes, Gregoire won by 6.5%.
2008 Washington gubernatorial election :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Christine Gregoire | 696,306 | 48.27 |
| | Republican | Dino Rossi | 668,571 | 46.35 |
| | Republican | John W. Aiken, Jr. | 21,564 | 1.49 |
| | Democratic | Christian Joubert | 16,646 | 1.15 |
| | Independent | James White | 10,884 | 0.75 |
| | Green | Duff Badgley | 9,702 | 0.67 |
| | Nonpartisan | Christopher Tudor | 5,600 | 0.39 |
| | Reform | Will Baker | 5,201 | 0.36 |
| | Republican | Javier O. Lopez | 4,981 | 0.35 |
| | Nonpartisan | Mohammad Hasan Said | 3,002 | 0.21 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,442,457 | 100.00 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Christine Gregoire (incumbent) | 1,598,738 | 53.24 |
| | Republican | Dino Rossi | 1,404,124 | 46.76 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,002,862 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### Lt. Governor

Brad Owen, who has held this position since 1996, ran for re-election to a fourth term. He defeated Republican nominee Marcia McCraw in a landslide, winning over 60% of the vote.
2008 Washington lieutenant gubernatorial election :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Brad Owen (incumbent) | 706,641 | 52.08 |
| | Republican | Marcia McCraw | 347,551 | 25.62 |
| | Republican | Jim Wiest | 193,752 | 14.28 |
| | Democratic | Randel Bell | 53,694 | 4.02 |
| | Constitution | Arlene A. Peck | 48,887 | 3.60 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,335,908 | 100.00 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Brad Owen (incumbent) | 1,718,033 | 60.80 |
| | Republican | Marcia McCraw | 1,107,634 | 39.20 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,825,667 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### Secretary of State

Sam Reed, who held this position since 2001, was re-elected to a third and final term, defeating Democrat Jason Osgood. As of 2025, this is the last time a Republican won the Secretary of State position by over 10%.
2012 Washington Secretary of State election :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Sam Reed | 816,171 | 59.40 |
| | Democratic | Jason Osgood | 446,222 | 32.48 |
| | Constitution | Marilyn Montgomery | 88,728 | 6.46 |
| | Independent | Mark Greene | 22,800 | 1.66 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,330,036 | 100.00 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Sam Reed (incumbent) | 1,644,587 | 58.33 |
| | Democratic | Jason Osgood | 1,175,086 | 41.67 |
| Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | | |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,819,673 | 100.00 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### State Treasurer

Incumbent State Treasurer Mike Murphy (D) retired. Democratic State Representative James McIntire and Republican Allan Martin advanced to the general election, where McIntire narrowly won the open seat.
| title=Treasurer of Washington election, 2008
2008 Washington State Treasurer election :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Allan Martin | 613,595 | 45.33 |
| | Democratic | James McIntire | 533,443 | 39.41 |
| | Democratic | ChangMook Sohn | 206,457 | 15.25 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,353,495 | 100.00 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Jim McIntire | 1,420,022 | 51.08 |
| | Republican | Allen Martin | 1,360,063 | 48.92 |
| Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | | |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,780,085 | 100.00 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### State Auditor

Incumbent State Auditor Brian Sonntag, who has held this position since 1993, ran for re-election to a fifth term. Sonntag defeated Republican Richard "Dick" McEntee with over 63% of the vote. As of 2022, this is the last election where the Democratic candidate for State Auditor received over 60% of the vote.
2008 Washington State Auditor election :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Brian Sonntag (incumbent) | 812,352 | 59.48 |
| | Republican | J. Richard (Dick) McEntee | 459,327 | 33.63 |
| | Constitution | Glenn Freeman | 94,148 | 6.89 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,267,935 | 100.00 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Brian Sonntag (incumbent) | 1,770,977 | 63.54 |
| | Republican | J. Richard (Dick) McEntee | 1,016,396 | 36.46 |
| Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | | |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### Attorney general

Incumbent Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna ran for re-election, facing Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg, a Democrat, in the general election. McKenna won re-election in a landslide, winning by almost 20 points and carrying all but two counties. As of 2025, this is the last time a Republican was elected Washington Attorney General.

#### Polling
##### General election

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Rob McKenna (R) | John Ladenburg (D) | Undecided |
| SurveyUSA | October 30 – November 2, 2008 | 663 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 59% | 36% | 6% |
| SurveyUSA | October 26–27, 2008 | 630 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 57% | 36% | 7% |
| SurveyUSA | October 12–13, 2008 | 544 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 54% | 38% | 8% |
| SurveyUSA | September 21–22, 2008 | 682 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 53% | 39% | 8% |
| SurveyUSA | September 5–7, 2008 | 658 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 55% | 40% | 5% |
| SurveyUSA | August 11–12, 2008 | 718 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 51% | 43% | 6% |
| SurveyUSA | July 13–15, 2008 | 666 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 49% | 41% | 10% |
| SurveyUSA | June 7–9, 2008 | 637 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 49% | 42% | 9% |
2008 Washington Attorney General election :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Rob McKenna (incumbent) | 783,240 | 56.98 |
| | Democratic | John Ladenburg | 591,254 | 43.02 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,374,494 | 100.00 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Rob McKenna (incumbent) | 1,689,764 | 59.46 |
| | Democratic | John Ladenburg | 1,152,174 | 40.54 |
| Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | | |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,841,938 | 100.00 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### Commissioner of Public Lands

Incumbent Doug Sutherland (R), who had first been elected in 2000, ran for re-election against rancher Peter J. Goldmark in a highly contested race. Despite polls before the election showing Sutherland leading, on election day Goldmark narrowly defeated Sutherland.

#### Polling
##### General election

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Doug Sutherland (R) | Peter Goldmark (D) | Undecided |
| SurveyUSA | October 30 – November 2, 2008 | 663 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 48% | 42% | 10% |
| SurveyUSA | October 26–27, 2008 | 630 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 45% | 43% | 12% |
| SurveyUSA | October 12–13, 2008 | 544 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 47% | 38% | 15% |
2008 Washington Commissioner of Public Lands election :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Doug Sutherland (incumbent) | 691,145 | 51.13 |
| | Democratic | Peter J. Goldmark | 660,714 | 48.87 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,351,859 | 100.00 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Peter J. Goldmark | 1,416,904 | 50.55 |
| | Republican | Doug Sutherland (incumbent) | 1,385,903 | 49.45 |
| Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | Invalid or blank votes | | |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,802,807 | 100.00 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### Superintendent of Public Instruction

Incumbent Democratic Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson ran for re-election to a third term. She was defeated by Randy Dorn. The superintendent is the only nonpartisan statewide election.

#### Polling
##### General election

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Terry Bergeson | Randy Dorn | Undecided |
| SurveyUSA | October 30 – November 2, 2008 | 663 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 37% | 45% | 18% |
| SurveyUSA | October 26–27, 2008 | 630 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 38% | 43% | 19% |
| SurveyUSA | October 12–13, 2008 | 544 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 31% | 43% | 26% |
| SurveyUSA | September 21–22, 2008 | 682 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 35% | 40% | 25% |
| SurveyUSA | September 5–7, 2008 | 658 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 36% | 41% | 23% |
| SurveyUSA | August 11–12, 2008 | 718 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 32% | 43% | 25% |
| SurveyUSA | July 13–15, 2008 | 666 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 34% | 32% | 35% |
2008 Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction election :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Nonpartisan | Terry Bergeson (incumbent) | 477,130 | 39.31 |
| | Nonpartisan | Randy Dorn | 414,313 | 34.13 |
| | Nonpartisan | Don Hansler | 108,984 | 8.98 |
| | Nonpartisan | John P. Blair | 90,508 | 7.46 |
| | Nonpartisan | Enid Duncan | 78,983 | 6.51 |
| | Nonpartisan | David Blomstrom | 43,984 | 3.62 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,213,902 | 100.00 |
| General election |||||
| | Nonpartisan | Randy Dorn | 1,333,290 | 52.38 |
| | Nonpartisan | Terry Bergeson (incumbent) | 1,211,909 | 47.62 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,545,199 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
* Teresa (Terry) Bergeson (cw) (NP)
* John Patterson Blair (NP)
* David Blomstrom (cw) (NP)
* Randy Dorn (cw) (NP)
* Enid Duncan (NP)
* Donald Hansler (NP)

### Insurance Commissioner

2008 Washington Insurance Commissioner election :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mike Kreidler (incumbent) | 723,732 | 53.86 |
| | Republican | John Adams | 484,992 | 36.09 |
| | Nonpartisan | Curtis Fackler | 135,113 | 10.05 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,343,837 | 100.00 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Mike Kreidler (incumbent) | 1,679,696 | 61.38 |
| | Republican | John Adams | 1,056,693 | 38.62 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,736,389 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
* John R. Adams (cw) (R)
* Curtis Fackler (cw) (NP)
* Mike Kreidler (cw) (D)