2016 Washington State Treasurer election


The 2016 Washington State Treasurer election was held on November 8, 2016, to elect the Washington State Treasurer, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the U.S. Senate and various state and local elections, including for [2016 United States House of Representatives 2016 United States Senate elections|elections in Washington|U.S. House] and governor of Washington. Washington is one of two states that holds a top-two primary, meaning that all candidates are listed on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation, and the top two move on to the general election.
Incumbent Democratic State Treasurer James McIntire announced on December 16, 2015, that he would not seek a third term. Republican Benton County Treasurer Duane Davidson won the election, defeating fellow Republican Michael Waite. This was the first time a Republican had been elected to the office of Treasurer of Washington since 1952.
The top-two primary was held on August 2.

Primary election

Democratic Party

Eliminated in primary

Declined

Republican Party

Advanced to general

Results

Five candidates ran in the primary: state senator Marko Liias, former Port of Seattle commissioner Alec Fisken, pension consultant John Paul Comerford, Benton County treasurer Duane Davidson, and investment firm executive Michael Waite. Liias, Fisken, and Comerford ran as Democrats; Davidson and Waite, as Republicans. Davidson and Waite, both Republicans, finished as the top two candidates in the primary election and advanced to the general election, marking the first time since the top-two system had been instituted that both of the primary slots in any statewide race had been won by Republicans.

General election

Post-primary endorsements

Davidson received the endorsements of every county treasurer in Washington state, both Democratic and Republican.