2008 Washington gubernatorial election

none related races 2008 United States gubernatorial elections January 2025 September 2023 2008 Washington gubernatorial election Washington presidential no 2004 Washington gubernatorial election 2004 2012 Washington gubernatorial election 2012 November 4, 2008 File:ChristineGregoireOfficial (cropped).jpg 150x150px Christine Gregoire Democratic Party (United States) 1,598,738 53.24% File:Dino Rossi (cropped).jpg Dino Rossi Republican Party (United States) 1,404,124 46.76% 275px County results 275px Congressional district results 275px Precinct results Gregoire: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% #3933e5 80–90% #0D0596 >90%Rossi: #E27F7F 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #C21B18 80–90% #A80000 >90%Tie: #ae8bb1 50% #808080 No votes Governor Christine Gregoire Democratic Party (United States) Christine Gregoire Democratic Party (United States) The 2008 gubernatorial election in Washington was held on November 4, 2008. Republican Dino Rossi and incumbent Democratic Governor Christine Gregoire emerged from the August 19 primary. This made the 2008 election a rematch between the candidates from the 2004 election, the closest gubernatorial election in the state's history. In contrast to the recounts and months of legal challenges in their previous contest, Gregoire was the clear winner on November 5 with about 53% of the vote. Rossi outperformed John McCain in the concurrent presidential election by a margin of 10.7%. With a margin of 6.48%, this election was the second-closest race of the 2008 gubernatorial election cycle, behind only the election in North Carolina. Timeline Date Year Event Reference Notes June 6 2008 Filing deadline http://politics1.com/wa.htm Politics 1-Washington Politics1 2008-05-31 2008-06-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20080612130417/http://www.politics1.com/wa.htm live August 19 2008 State primary Same date as general primaries for other offices November 4 2008 General election http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/calendar_full.aspx Elections Calendar Washington Secretary of State 2008-11-05 2008-11-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20081106062037/http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/calendar_full.aspx live Same date as presidential election and other offices November 26 2008 General election Last day for counties to deliver results to the state December 4 2008 General election Results certified http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/calendar.aspx?m=8&y=2008 Calendar Secretary of the State of Washington 2008-05-31 2008-05-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20080529040312/https://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/calendar.aspx?m=8&y=2008 live Primary election Candidates for office |- !style="background-color:#E9E9E9" valign=top|Candidate !style="background-color:#E9E9E9"|Stated party preference !style="background-color:#E9E9E9"|Website !style="background-color:#E9E9E9"|Notes |- |Christine Gregoire || Prefers Democratic Party || || Incumbent governor |- |Dino Rossi || Prefers G.O.P. Party || || Ex-state senator, 2004 gubernatorial nominee |- |Will Baker || Prefers Reform Party || || Out; lost primary |- |Duff Badgley || Prefers Green Party || || Out; lost primary |- |John W. Aiken Jr. || Prefers Republican Party || || Out; lost primary |- |Christian Pierre Joubert || Prefers Democratic Party || https://web.archive.org/web/20080731222135/http://christianforgovernor2008.com/ July 31, 2008 || Out; lost primary |- |Chris Tudor || States No Party Preference || || Out; lost primary |- |Javier O. Lopez || Prefers Republican Party || || Out; lost primary |- |Mohammad Hasan Said || States No Party Preference || || Out; lost primary |- |James White || Prefers Independent Party || || Out; lost primary |- |colspan=4 align=left|Source: Secretary of State |} The Washington primary election was held August 19, 2008. For the first time, Washington ran a top-two primary, eliminating the "pick a party" primary used since 2004. Unlike traditional primaries, wherein each party with more than one candidate is reduced to a single person to appear on the general election ballot, the system simply reduces the entire crop of candidates from all parties down to the top two candidates, resulting in no more than two candidates appearing on the general election ballot for a given position. As a result, candidates from all parties were essentially running against each other. To allow for ideological identification, each candidate in a partisan race was allowed to indicate an arbitrary party preference.http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/en/Documents/VP%20Top%202%20Primary%202008.pdf Announcing Washington State's NEW Top 2 Primary 2008-08-20 Washington Office of the Secretary of State https://web.archive.org/web/20080910015701/http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/en/Documents/VP%20Top%202%20Primary%202008.pdf 2008-09-10 dead Controversy over Rossi's party preference Under the changes to election law made by the passage of Initiative 872, partisan contests are no longer tied to registered parties, but candidates are allowed to indicate an arbitrary "party preference" to appear next to their name on the primary and general election ballots.http://www.secstate.wa.gov/documentvault/Initiative872text-653.pdf People's Choice Initiative of 2004 (Initiative 872) Washington Office of the Secretary of State 2008-08-27 2 2009-05-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20090510211357/http://www.secstate.wa.gov/documentvault/Initiative872text-653.pdf live "Definitions" section, paragraph on the term "partisan office". An extreme example of this occurred in the 40th District race for state senator, where candidate Timothy Stoddard indicated a preference for the "Salmon Yoga" party.http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/WEI/Results.aspx?ElectionID=0&RaceID=346&JurisdictionTypeID=5 August 19, 2008 Top 2 Primary – Legislative District 40 – State Senator 2008-08-27 Washington Office of the Secretary of State https://web.archive.org/web/20080826141511/http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/WEI/Results.aspx?ElectionID=0&RaceID=346&JurisdictionTypeID=5 2008-08-26 dead Republican candidate Dino Rossi listed his party preference as "G.O.P." instead of the traditional party name "Republican". Critics of Rossi contended that the choice of party name was an attempt to distance himself from any negative opinions associated with the Republican Party.Washington political blogger Goldy suggested that Rossi was "too ashamed to have the Republican brand attached to his name." http://www.horsesass.org/?p=4982 BREAKING: Dino Rossi quits Republican Party! Goldstein David HorsesAss.org 2008-08-20 2008-06-05 2008-08-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20080827232712/http://www.horsesass.org/?p=4982 live Rossi's campaign argued that the difference was insignificant, saying voters are already aware that the terms refer to the same party.http://www.seattlepi.com/local/366154_filings07.html Seattle Post-Intelligencer 2008-06-06 2008-08-20 Rossi not exactly on ballot as Republican Roberts Gregory 2021-08-31 https://web.archive.org/web/20210831153959/https://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Rossi-not-exactly-on-ballot-as-Republican-1275813.php live However, an Elway Research poll taken in August 2008 found that over 25% of registered voters were not aware that the term "GOP" meant the Republican Party.The Elway press release to news organizations was reprinted in http://blog.oregonlive.com/mapesonpolitics/2008/08/washingtons_current_governors.html Washington's current governor's race Mapes on Politics The Oregonian Mapes Jeff https://web.archive.org/web/20080919150157/http://blog.oregonlive.com/mapesonpolitics/2008/08/washingtons_current_governors.html 2008-09-19 2018-11-07 live On September 23, the Washington State Democrats, alleging that the latter is a misrepresentation of his true party affiliation, filed a lawsuit against the Secretary of State to force the state to list Rossi to on the general election ballot as a Republican instead of with the "GOP Party" label.http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008199160_rossisuit24m.html Democrats sue to make Rossi call himself "Republican" instead of "GOP" 2008-09-26 Seattle Times Garber Andrew 2008-09-24 2008-09-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20080927005606/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008199160_rossisuit24m.html live A King County Superior Court judge dismissed the suit, saying nothing in state law made the choice of party name illegal, but he acknowledged the potential confusion. Had the lawsuit succeeded, many counties would have had to reprint their ballots, and the already-cast absentee votes of military personnel may have become invalid.http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008206582_apwarossigop3rdldwritethru.html Seattle judge OKs ballot with 'GOP' Rossi 2008-09-26 2008-09-26 Seattle Times Johnson Gene 2008-09-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20080929030636/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008206582_apwarossigop3rdldwritethru.html live Results While the primary was officially held on August 19, 2008, some counties such as King County allowed absentee ballots to be postmarked by that date in order to be valid. As a result, the primary vote tally was not officially certified until September 9, to allow time for mailed-in ballots to arrive and be counted by the counties. As an increasing number of counties allowed, encouraged, or mandated mail-in ballots for voters within the county, the number of such ballots was significant.http://www.seattlepi.com/local/375506_primary19.html?source=mypi Top-two primary kicks off today McGann Chris 2008-08-19 2008-08-21 Seattle Post-Intelligencer 2021-08-31 https://web.archive.org/web/20210831153925/https://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Top-two-primary-kicks-off-today-1282575.php?source=mypi live thumb|275px|County results #7996E2 Gregoire #A5B0FF 40–50% #7996E2 50–60% #6674DE 60–70% #E27F7F Rossi #FFB2B2 40–50% #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% County results thumb|275px|Congressional district results #7996E2 Gregoire #A5B0FF 40–50% #7996E2 50–60% #584cde 70–80% #E27F7F Rossi #FFB2B2 40–50% #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% Congressional district results Nonpartisan blanket primary resultsAll party affiliations are given as "Prefers x Party". Independents were listed as "States No Party Preference". Rossi's official preference was "Prefers G.O.P. Party". Christine Gregoire Democratic Party (United States) 696,306 48.27% Dino Rossi Republican Party (United States) 668,571 46.35% John W. Aiken Jr. Republican Party (United States) 21,564 1.49% Christian Pierre Joubert Democratic Party (United States) 16,646 1.15% James White Independent 10,884 0.75% Duff Badgley Green Party of the United States 9,702 0.67% Christopher A. Tudor Independent 5,600 0.39% Will Baker Reform Party of the United States of America 5,201 0.36% Javier O. Lopez Republican Party (United States) 4,981 0.35% Mohammad Hasan Said Independent 3,002 0.21% 1,442,457 100.00% By congressional district District2008 Primary Data https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/2008-primary-data.zip sos.wa.gov live https://web.archive.org/web/20250625074817/https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/2008-primary-data.zip June 25, 2025 Gregoire Rossi RepresentativeWashington 1 1st 52% 43%Jay InsleeWashington 2 2nd 48% 47%Rick LarsenWashington 3 3rd 46% 48%Brian BairdWashington 4 4th 31% 64%Doc HastingsWashington 5 5th 42% 51%Cathy McMorris RodgersWashington 6 6th 50% 45%Norm DicksWashington 7 7th 75% 20%Jim McDermottWashington 8 8th 46% 50%Dave ReichertWashington 9 9th 49% 46%Adam Smith General election Christine Gregoire and Dino Rossi were declared the winners of the primary and placed on the ballot for the November 4 election, which coincided with the national election. However, with all Washington counties either exclusively or (in the case of Pierce and King counties) predominantly voting via mail-in ballot,http://www.seattlepi.com/local/350326_mailvote07.html King County delays all-mail voting until 2009 2008-02-07 2008-09-26 Roberts Gregory Seattle Post-Intelligencer 2021-08-31 https://web.archive.org/web/20210831153932/https://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/King-County-delays-all-mail-voting-until-2009-1263753.php live many votes were cast prior to that date. King County, the largest county in the state, and the one which carried Gregoire to victory in 2004, sent out overseas absentee ballots on October 5, and resident mail-in ballots on October 17.http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections.aspx King County Elections King County 2008-09-26 2008-09-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20080917161521/http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections.aspx live In Washington state, mail-in ballots only needed to be postmarked, not received, by November 4, meaning that valid ballots continued to be received and counted after that date.http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/en/voterinformation/Pages/VotebyMailFAQ.aspx Vote by Mail FAQ Washington Secretary of State 2008-11-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20081106062956/http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/en/voterinformation/Pages/VotebyMailFAQ.aspx 2008-11-06 dead For the 2008 election, counties had until November 26 to send results to the state, and the Secretary of State had until December 4 to certify all state results. Predictions SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political Reporthttps://cookpolitical.com/ratings/governor-race-ratings 2008 Governor Race ratings The Cook Political Report en March 4, 2021 January 5, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210105151720/https://cookpolitical.com/ratings/governor-race-ratings liveTossupOctober 16, 2008 Rothenberg Political Report2008 Gubernatorial Ratings https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/governor/2008-gubernatorial-ratings6 Gubernatorial Ratings The Rothenberg Political Report May 25, 2021 May 26, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210526005618/https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/governor/2008-gubernatorial-ratings6 live Tossup November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal BallTHE LAST LAST WORD The Crystal Ball's Final Projections for the 2008 Election https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/ljs2008110301/ Sabato's Crystal Ball 3 November 2008 December 25, 2021 Lean D November 3, 2008Real Clear PoliticsNovember 4, 2008 2008 Washington Governor Race https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/governor/wa/washington_governor-584.html March 5, 2021 RealClearPolitics January 22, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210122040051/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/governor/wa/washington_governor-584.html live TossupNovember 4, 2008 Endorsements Dino Rossi (R) Newspapers The Seattle Timeshttps://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/dino-rossi-for-governor/ https://web.archive.org/web/20160316200018/http://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/dino-rossi-for-governor/ 2016-03-16 live Dino Rossi for governor Editorial Board The Seattle Times October 19, 2008 The Seattle Times October 22, 2025 subscription Polling Aggregate polls Source of pollaggregationDatesadministeredDatesupdated ChristineGregoire (D) DinoRossi (R) Other/UndecidedCalculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.MarginReal Clear PoliticsReal Clear PoliticsOctober 22 – November 2, 2008November 2, 200850.7%47.3%2.0%Gregoire +3.4% Opinion polling for the 2008 Washington gubernatorial election.chart Opinion polling for the 2008 Washington gubernatorial election.tab 700px Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ChristineGregoire (D) DinoRossi (R) UndecidedSurvey USASurvey USA October 30-November 2, 2008 – – 52% 46% 2%Survey USASurvey USA October 26–27, 2008 – – 50% 48% 2%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports October 22, 2008 – – 50% 48% 2%Survey USASurvey USA October 12–13, 2008 – – 48% 47% 5%Rasmussen Reports October 2, 2008 – – 48% 48% 4%Survey USASurvey USA September 21–22, 2008 – – 50% 48% 2%Strategic VisionStrategic Vision September 14–16, 2008 800 ± 3.0% 46% 48% 6%Rasmussen Reports September 10, 2008 – – 46% 52% 2%Survey USASurvey USA September 5–7, 2008 – – 47% 48% 5%SurveyUSASurveyUSA August 11–12, 2008 718 ± 3.7% 50% 48% 2%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports August 6, 2008 – – 47% 43% 10%Strategic VisionStrategic Vision July 25–27, 2008 800 ± 3.0% 47% 45% 8%SurveyUSASurveyUSA July 13–15, 2008 666 ± 3.9% 49% 46% 5%Moore InformationMoore Information July 9–10, 2008 400 ± 5.0% 45% 45% 11%Rasmussen Reports July 9, 2008 – – 49% 43% 8%Elway Pollhttp://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/142250.asp Elway Poll June 29, 2008 June 28, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080628213221/http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/142250.asp dead June 18–22, 2008 405 ± 5.0% 47% 39% 14%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports June 9, 2008 – – 50% 43% 7%SurveyUSASurveyUSA June 9, 2008 637 ± 4.0% 50% 47% 3%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports May 12, 2008 – – 52% 41% 7%Elway Pollhttp://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/137934.asp Elway Poll June 29, 2008 May 13, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080513093318/http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/137934.asp dead April 21–22, 2008 405 ± 5.0% 43% 38% 19%SurveyUSASurveyUSA April 14–16, 2008 634 ± 4.0% 50% 46% 4%SurveyUSASurveyUSA April 7, 2008 607 ± 4.1% 48% 47% 5%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports September 2017 InternetArchiveBot yes March 27, 2008 – – 47% 46% 7%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports February 28, 2008 – – 46% 47% 7%Washington PollWashington Poll February 7–18, 2008 300 ± 5.6% 54% 42% 4%Elway Pollhttp://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/129469.asp Elway Poll June 29, 2008 December 16, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081216151510/http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/129469.asp dead January 3–6, 2008 405 – 48% 35% 17%Washington PollWashington Poll October 22–29, 2007 601 ± 4.0% 47% 42% 11%Strategic VisionStrategic Vision October 5–7, 2007 800 ± 3.0% 47% 45% 8%Strategic VisionStrategic Vision March 24–26, 2006 800 ± 3.0% 38% 51% 11% Police Guild press conference incident At an August 7 press conference held by the Seattle Police Officers Guild to declare its endorsement of Rossi, the Guild forcibly removed Kelly Akers, a Gregoire campaign staffer who was filming the event, from the premises. The Rossi campaign reiterated a standing policy to prevent opposing campaigns from filming Rossi's appearances, to deny them the ability to take "attack footage." Rossi's campaign staff includes a cameraman tasked with filming Gregoire appearances.http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/video.html Dem cameraman is evicted from Dino Rossi event 2008-09-26 2008-08-12 Postman David Andrew Garber Seattle Times https://web.archive.org/web/20181108044227/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/dem-cameraman-is-evicted-from-dino-rossi-event/ 2018-11-08 dead Debates Five debates were heldhttp://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2008/09/08/debate_schedule_gregoire_rossi_preparing Debate schedule: Gregoire, Rossi preparing to face-off at least five times Hagey Jason Political Buzz Tacoma News Tribune 2008-09-08 2008-09-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20081216145246/http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2008/09/08/debate_schedule_gregoire_rossi_preparing 2008-12-16 dead between Gregoire and Rossi, the candidates in the general election. DateTimeLocationSponsors2008-09-209:00 PMFisher Plaza (Seattle)Fisher Communications, League of Women Voters, Seattle Post-Intelligencer2008-09-257:30 PMSemiahmoo Resort (Blaine)Association of Washington Business Complete video of debate - C-SPAN2008-10-017:00 PMCapitol Theatre (Yakima)KCTS 9, Yakima Herald-Republic2008-10-097:00 PM*http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=17115 Spokane Spokesman-Review Gov. Gregoire, Rossi debate Brunt Josh 2008-10-09 2008-10-09 2008-10-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20081012042527/http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=17115 liveKSPS-TV Studios (Spokane)KSPS-TV, Spokane Spokesman-ReviewBrunt Jonathan Gov. Gregoire, Rossi debate budget http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=17115 Spokesman Review November 8, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20081012042527/http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=17115 October 12, 2008 live dmy-all 2008-10-158:00 PMhttp://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008229116_debatetruth05m0.html Seattle Times The truth behind claims by Rossi, Gregoire 2008-10-05 Garber Andrew https://web.archive.org/web/20160113063715/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/the-truth-behind-claims-by-rossi-gregoire/ 2016-01-13 2018-11-08 live (Sidebar: "Rossi-Gregoire debates")TBDKING-TV, Seattle Times, NPR *The Spokane debate was taped in the morning to be aired at the indicated time. All other debates were held and aired live. The Gregoire campaign had sought a sixth debate in Tacoma, sponsored by the Tacoma News-Tribune. The Rossi campaign instead sought a sixth debate in Vancouver, Washington, sponsored by The Columbian. The local Camas-Washougal Rotary Club went so far as to reserve a venue for October 8. The campaigns could not agree on either event.http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/487474.html Gregoire, Rossi kick off debate schedule tonight 2008-09-26 2008-09-26 Tacoma News Tribune Hagey Jason October 2010 H3llBothttp://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2008/09/08/debate_schedule_gregoire_rossi_preparing Debate schedule: Gregoire, Rossi preparing to face-off at least five times 2008-12-15 2008-09-08 Political Buzz Tacoma News Tribune Hagey Jason https://web.archive.org/web/20081216145246/http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2008/09/08/debate_schedule_gregoire_rossi_preparing 2008-12-16 deadhttp://cwwatch.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/chris-gregoire-too-busy-to-debate-rossi-in-clark-county/ Chris Gregoire Too Busy to Debate Rossi in Clark County Camas Washougal Watch 2008-08-12 2008-12-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20110718092337/http://cwwatch.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/chris-gregoire-too-busy-to-debate-rossi-in-clark-county/ 2011-07-18 deadGregoire declines offers to debate Rossi locally The Columbian 2008-08-07 Durbin Kathie The Gregoire campaign had set aside August 15 for a pre-primary radio debate with Rossi on Seattle NPR station KUOW-FM.http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/263970.html Gregoire, Rossi plan gubernatorial debates 2008-08-05 2008-09-26 Tri-City Herald Mulick Chris https://archive.today/20130204160912/http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/263970.html 2013-02-04 dead Rossi declined to appear, giving Gregoire solo airtime.http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/146295.asp Rossi to NPR: I won't show 2008-08-15 2008-09-26 Strange Bedfellows Seattle Post-Intelligencer Connelly Joel 2008-08-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20080826112124/http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/146295.asp live Results Gregoire declared victory after late evening returns were posted, with 42% of the statewide vote counted, showing her with a 52% lead over Rossi.http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hHmrRDr4Xw21StpjXaMOCUUUaFOAD948KVB80 Gregoire claims victory in Washington gov. rematch La Corte Rachel Associated Press 2008-11-04 2008-11-05 June 2016 medicmedic By 10:30 PM PST (1:30 AM EST) all five major television networks had called the race for Gregoire.http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2008/11/04/networks_call_it_for_gregoire_is_it_real Networks call it for Gregoire. Is it real? Callaghan Peter Political Buzz Tacoma News Tribune 2008-11-04 2008-11-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20081216145304/http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2008/11/04/networks_call_it_for_gregoire_is_it_real 2008-12-16 dead The Rossi campaign called the networks' declarations "premature" and did not concede defeat that evening. Rossi held out hope that late ballots would carry him, as late returns had reversed an early Gregoire lead in 2004. Rossi conceded the next morning. Rossi conceded defeat in the gubernatorial election on November 5. In his concession speech, he indicated that he was not planning a return to politics.http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_wa_governor.html Republican Rossi concedes Wash governor's race Seattle Post-Intelligencer 2008-11-05 2008-11-05 La Corte Rachel June 2016 medicmedic Rossi's retirement from politics was short-lived: in 2010 he ran in (and lost) the race for United States Senate against Patty Murray. 2008 Washington gubernatorial election Washington Democratic Party Christine Gregoire (incumbent) 1,598,738 53.24% +4.37% Washington Republican Party Dino Rossi 1,404,124 46.76% -2.11% 3,002,862 100.00% N/A Democratic Party (United States) By county CountyChristine GregoireDemocraticDino RossiRepublicanMarginTotal votes cast#%#%#%Adams1,45330.17%3,36369.83%-1,910-39.66%4,816Asotin4,25443.92%5,43256.08%-1,178-12.16%9,686Benton21,96830.26%50,63569.74%-28,667-39.48%72,603Chelan12,08737.99%19,73062.01%-7,643-24.02%31,817Clallam18,98749.42%19,43150.58%-444-1.16%38,418Clark87,68348.99%91,30151.01%-3,618-2.02%178,984Columbia70631.48%1,53768.52%-831-37.05%2,243Cowlitz20,72346.38%23,95453.62%-3,231-7.23%44,677Douglas5,12833.87%10,01366.13%-4,885-32.26%15,141Ferry1,33038.33%2,14061.67%-810-23.34%3,470Franklin6,36532.41%13,27667.59%-6,911-35.19%19,641Garfield43432.01%92267.99%-488-35.99%1,356Grant8,73231.94%18,60468.06%-9,872-36.11%27,336Grays Harbor15,72953.98%13,40746.02%2,3227.97%29,136Island20,89150.24%20,68849.76%2030.49%41,579Jefferson12,58863.61%7,20036.39%5,38827.23%19,788King583,35764.16%325,82035.84%257,53728.33%909,177Kitsap62,47850.74%60,65649.26%1,8221.48%123,134Kittitas6,98839.44%10,73260.56%-3,744-21.13%17,720Klickitat4,53845.42%5,45454.58%-916-9.17%9,992Lewis12,28335.47%22,34764.53%-10,064-29.06%34,630Lincoln2,05234.66%3,86865.34%-1,816-30.68%5,920Mason13,94249.58%14,18150.42%-239-0.85%28,123Okanogan6,57539.27%10,16860.73%-3,593-21.46%16,743Pacific5,69552.28%5,19847.72%4974.56%10,893Pend Oreille2,57139.66%3,91260.34%-1,341-20.68%6,483Pierce166,56251.10%159,36348.90%7,1992.21%325,925San Juan7,04467.73%3,35632.27%3,68835.46%10,400Skagit27,91550.33%27,54549.67%3700.67%55,460Skamania2,56447.68%2,81352.32%-249-4.63%5,377Snohomish167,17552.67%150,20547.33%16,9705.35%317,380Spokane104,36948.11%112,57051.89%-8,201-3.78%216,939Stevens7,77135.02%14,41864.98%-6,647-29.96%22,189Thurston72,65257.88%52,88042.12%19,77215.75%125,532Wahkiakum96041.92%1,33058.08%-370-16.16%2,290Walla Walla9,40538.32%15,13761.68%-5,732-23.36%24,542Whatcom54,24954.67%44,97545.33%9,2749.35%99,224Whitman8,36348.46%8,89651.54%-533-3.09%17,259Yakima30,17239.27%46,66760.73%-16,495-21.47%76,839Totals1,598,73853.24%1,404,12446.76%194,6146.48%3,002,862 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Cowlitz (largest city: Longview) Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Island (largest city: Oak Harbor) Kitsap (largest city: Bremerton) Pierce (largest city: Tacoma) Skagit (largest city: Mount Vernon) Snohomish (largest city: Everett) right 275px Swing by county Legend #00bdec Democratic — +12.5-15% #09ceff Democratic — +10-12.5% #4bdbff Democratic — +7.5-10% #77e3ff Democratic — +5-7.5% #aaeeff Democratic — +2.5-5% #d5f6ff Democratic — +0-2.5% #ffd5d5 Republican — +0-2.5% #ffaaaa Republican — +2.5-5% #ff5555 Republican — +7.5-10% #ff2a2a Republican — +10-12.5% 275px Trend relative to the state by county Legend #77e3ff Democratic — +5-7.5% #aaeeff Democratic — +2.5–5% #d5f6ff Democratic — +0–2.5% #ffd5d5 Republican — +0-2.5% #ffaaaa Republican — +2.5-5% #ff8080 Republican — +5-7.5% #ff5555 Republican — +7.5-10% #ff2a2a Republican — +10-12.5% #ff0000 Republican — +12.5-15% #d40000 Republican — +>15% 275px County flips Legend Democratic #92c5de Hold #0671b0 Flip Republican #f48882 Hold #ca0120 Flip By congressional district Gregoire won five of nine congressional districts, with the remaining four going to Rossi, including one that elected a Democrat.2008 General Data https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/2008-general-data.zip sos.wa.gov live https://web.archive.org/web/20240520224356/https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/2008-general-data.zip 2024-05-20 District Gregoire Rossi RepresentativeWashington 1 1st 56% 44%Jay InsleeWashington 2 2nd 52% 48%Rick LarsenWashington 3 3rd 49.6% 50.4%Brian BairdWashington 4 4th 35% 65%Doc HastingsWashington 5 5th 45% 55%Cathy McMorris RodgersWashington 6 6th 54% 46%Norm DicksWashington 7 7th 79% 21%Jim McDermottWashington 8 8th 49% 51%Dave ReichertWashington 9 9th 54% 46%Adam Smith Notes References External links Elections from the Washington Secretary of State Washington Governor candidates https://web.archive.org/web/20080919215944/http://www.votesmart.org/election_governor_five_categories.php?state_id=WA September 19, 2008 at Project Vote Smart Washington Governor race from 2008 Race Tracker Campaign contributionsAugust 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes from Follow the Money Rossi (R) vs Gregoire (D-i) graph of collected poll results from Pollster.com Official campaign websites (Archived) Christine Gregoire, Democratic incumbent candidate Dino Rossi, Republican candidate Washington Gubernatorial 2008