WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. – A preliminary count of primary ballots shows tight general election races in local contests for the Washington state legislature.

The most contested races in the area are in the 42nd District.

For state Senate, Democrat Sharon Shewmake is ahead with almost 48% of the vote.

Republicans Simon Sefzik and Ben Elenbaas are second and third with 33% and 19% respectively.

Democratic incumbent Alicia Rule is ahead in the race for the Position 1 House seat with 49%, with Republicans Tawsha Thompson in second with 36% and Kamal Bhachu trailing with 15%.

The open Position 2 House seat is a neck-and-neck affair with Democrat Joe Timmons and Republican Dan Johnson one and two with 29% and 27%, followed closely by Republican Kyle Christensen and Democrat Richard May.

In the 2nd Congressional District Democratic incumbent Rick Larsen is out in front with 48%.

His closest challenger is Republican Dan Matthews with 18%.

In the race for U.S. Senate, Patty Murray is getting majority support with 54%.

Republican challenger Tiffany Smiley is second with 32% of the vote.

Attorney Jonathan Rands leads the race for Whatcom County Superior Court Judge, with Gordon Jenkins in second place and David Nelson third.

There’s not much drama in the re-tooled 40th district that now encompasses more of Bellingham along with the San Juans and a slice of Skagit County.

Incumbent Position 1 Representative Alex Ramel leads his fellow Democrat Trevor Smith with a commanding 79% of the preliminary count.

Debra Lekanoff was running unopposed for her Position 2 seat.

Democrat Steve Hobbs holds a big lead of about 42% over a crowded field of challengers in the race for secretary of state.

The top-two vote getters in each race will advance to the General Election in November.

The Whatcom County Auditor says voter turnout for the primary looks to be just under 30%.

They’ve counted over 46,500 ballots and have an estimated 12,600 left to count.

The next ballot count will be announced at about 5 p.m. today, Wednesday, August 3rd.

For complete election results, visit the Whatcom County website.