Evening star., 1940-09-08
Washington State,
PRIMARY Unusual,
Is in Doubtful Column
Roosevelt Seen HoIdino
Slight Lead, With
Willkie Trend Growing
BY JAMES DE X. BROWN.

Special Correspondent Of The Star,
SEATTLE, Sept. 7-washington
voters are entering the stretch of
the most unusual primary campaign
In the States history. Although
tney are going to nominate candi-
oates on the Republican and the
democratic tickets, the fact that a
blanket primary ballot is used
makes the nominations virtually
non-partisan. 1t is one reason whv
today this State cannot be classified
as either Democratic or Republican,
Judging from reports from every
section of the State, the Roosevelt
Wallace ticket still holds a slight
lead, although there is a growing
trend toward Wendell L. Willkie and
Senator McNsry. The national Demo-
cratic campaign here is begging
down slightly because of the badly
muddled primary situation.
Inc Democrats, the majority party,
are split into at least three factions:
the old-line JefferSonian Democrats,
the New Dealers or Roosevelt fol-
lowers, and the extreme left wingers,
the so-called Washington Common
wealth Federation, which in the past
has played prominent part in
Democratic victories. These factions
are all represented in the primary
battles. Each group has its own
candidate for Governor and for the
United States senatorship.
NEar4.w.
The incumbent, Clarence D.
Martin, a Jeffersonian Democrat, is
seeking third term as Governor.
He is battling c. c. Dill, former
United StaCes Senator, who claims
to hold the Roosevelt followers SUD-
port TO a large extent: Tom Smith,
former president of the Common
wealthers, and State Representative
Alexander Gabrielsen, an extreme
left winger. Mr.. Dill apparently has
a lead, with Mr.. Martin closing
strong. Mr.. Smith also is moving
rapidly, but the Martin forces feel
that enough Republicans will swing
over to nominate him. The reason
Is that the Governor is looked upon
as an anti-Roosevelt Democrat. and
his nomination will tend to upset
the RooSevelt-Wallace ticket in
| November
A similar situation Is to be found
in the primary fight for the sena-
torship nomination. Representative
Wallgren, who claims to hold the
blessing and support of Secretary Of
Interior Ickes, is looked upon as the
administration candidate. However,
Frank T. Bell. former commissioner
of fisheries, removed by Mr.. Ickes,
IS leading the field at this time. Then
comes Harry Huse, an appointee Of
Gov. Martin, chief of the State
highway patrol, holding the support
of the State Office holders. The
extreme left wing groups have
brought out Roy Misener, King
County assessor, and are making a
bid for the left-wing Roosevelt sup
port.
On WILKES Coattails.
The Republican candidates, with
out exception, are seeking to ride
into nomination on the popularity
of Mr.. Willkie. Stephen j. Chadwick,
lifelong Democrat and former ma
tional commander of the American
Legion, is seeking the G. o. P.
nomination for Senator, but is
virtually making a campaign for
Mr.. Willkie instead of one for him.
self. He is well out in front. Eric
Johnston Of Spokane, another war
veteran and a prominent business
man, and DR.. Robert Prior of Seattle
are all in the contest, but so far
have been unable to overcome Chad
wick's lead.
In the governorship race, Mayor
Arthur Langlie of Seattle, making
his first bid for a partisan nominal
ton. is so far in front for the Re-
publican nomination that there Is
little chance of his being headed.
Frank Burns, former Republican
national committeeman, is in second
place, with j. Warren Kinney. a
manufacturer, following. Mr.. Kin
ney's strength is problemstical.
There Is no apparent way Of Judg-
ing it.
In the congressional fights, the
five incumbents seeking renomina-
ton will be winners, but all are fac
ing stronger opposition than ever
before in the general election. The
Willkie trend has spurred the Re-
publicans into bringing out the best
available congressional timber.