Oregon Public Broadcasting

Tuesday’s Washington State primary won’t decide the governor’s race. Even so, the stakes are high for the top Republican and Democratic hopefuls.

Whichever candidate wins the most votes will gain some important bragging rights. While the loser may have some explaining to do. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins reports.

Tamping down expectations. That’s what Republican Dino Rossi’s campaign for Washington governor is doing in advance of the primary.

In a memo to reporters and opinion-makers, the campaign says Rossi does not expect to win more votes than incumbent Democrat Chris Gregoire.

The campaign also says it does not consider the primary a prediction of the general election.

Democrats counter with their own memo. It says Rossi enjoys a substantial advantage in the primary because the state’s Republican counties are now all vote-by-mail – which will increase turnout.

Political watchers say the primary serves as a straw poll of sorts to gauge support for the candidates.

That’s why the campaigns want to set expectations.

How Rossi and Gregoire perform in the primary could impact donations to their campaigns, endorsements and other support.