By Daniel Beekman

The Seattle Times

Denny Heck was leading the primary election to become Washington’s next lieutenant governor in ballot returns reported Tuesday night, and Marko Liias was in second place. Both are Democrats.

Heck, currently a U.S. representative, had 27.7% in the initial vote count, while Liias, currently a state senator, had 16.6%.

Nine other candidates, including Republicans Ann Sattler and Marty McClendon, trailed in the crowded statewide race. Sattler had 11.6% and McClendon had 10.8%.

More ballots will be counted in the coming days.

The top two vote-getters in the primary will advance to the Nov. 3 general election. Statewide general elections almost never pit candidates from the same party against each other, though two Republicans did compete for treasurer in 2016.

Now it appears Heck and Liias may face off. Theirs would be first such contest between Democrats, Liias said.

The race for lieutenant governor was thrown wide open when the incumbent, Cyrus Habib, announced he would join the Society of Jesus religious order rather than run for reelection.