Inslee, Culp divide up the state

REPUBLIC — Despite more than three dozen candidates in the gubernatorial field, only two divided up the state's 39 counties in the initial tally of the Aug. 4 primary election.

After counting more than 1.2 million ballots statewide Tuesday night, incumbent Gov. Jay Inslee, D-Bainbridge Island, and challenger Police Chief Loren Culp, R-Republic, won counties.

Inslee amassed 51.86% of the statewide vote enroute to leading the crowded field in 27 counties.

Culp, an rural upstart who jumped into the race after Inslee pushed to strip 2nd Amendment rights last year, leads in 12 counties with a combi...