Just as in the primary, state finances likely will remain a key topic in the general election between Kenmore Mayor David Baker, running as a Republican, and State Rep. Maralyn Chase, D-Shoreline, as they fight for the District 32 state-senate seat.

With 71 of 131 precincts counted, Baker and Chase were the clear leaders in the three-way contest to replace outgoing State Sen. Darlene Fairley, D-Lake Forest Park. Chase was out in front with 47 percent of the vote to Baker’s 41 percent.

Former state representative Patty Butler was well behind with 13 percent.

“Our work is cut out for us,” Baker said. But he also noted Chase was possibly heading toward her lowest vote total in some time. In her runs for state representative, Baker said Chase regularly earned well above 50 percent of the ballots cast.

“I don’t know what that indicates, but I guess there’s some room here,” Baker said.

“We’re ready to go,” Chase said. “I’m very pleased with the results and I look forward to a spirited race as we move towards November.”

As he has in the past, Baker criticized Chase for her take on state finances. Baker has continually said Washington needs to reduce spending, to learn to live within its means. Chase has argued the state has a revenue crisis, not a budget crisis, a viewpoint Baker strongly takes to task.

According to Chase, state legislators have removed many taxes that once were in place on intangible property. She argued that has left small businesses and homeowners carrying the state’s freight through tangible property taxes. Presumably with that in mind, Chase has come out in favor of a 2- to 3-percent income tax, something Baker greatly opposes.

In other primary results:

Northshore School District supplemental levy

According to school-district figures, the levy was passing, but just barely, with 50.8 percent of voters in favor of the issue. The levy needs a simple 50-percent majority to be approved.

Breaking down the vote, King County voters were being slightly nicer to the question, approving it by a margin of 51 percent to 48 percent. Snohomish County ballots were running extremely close, with roughly 50 percent against compared to 49 percent in favor.

The issue would increase the percentage of Northshore’s overall budget coming from local dollars to 28.9 percent, raising up to $12 million.

District 32, Pos. 1, State Representative

Former Shoreline Mayor Cindy Ryu and Shoreline physician Art Coday appear headed for the November general election and a chance to take the seat Chase is vacating to make her senate run. Again with 71 precincts counted, Democrat Ryu was leading the way with 41 percent of the vote, while Republican Coday had earned 38 percent.

District 32, Pos. 2, State Representative

This primary was probably largely over before it began, essentially pitting incumbent State Rep. Ruth Kagi, D-Lake Forest Park, against Republican business consultant and author Gary Gagliardi. The race also featured perennial candidate Stan Lippmann.

As of deadline for this issue, Kagi was well out in front, with 55 percent of the vote, while Gagliardi had earned 37 percent.

District 1, Pos. 1, State Representative

Voting here was very close, with only Democrat Derek Stanford pulling away from the pack in early results with 28 percent of the ballots.

Who will be Stanford’s opponent come November? Bothell Republican Dennis Richter was barely leading a close race behind Stanford, earning 23 percent of the vote. Chasing Richter were former Bothell Deputy Mayor Sandy Guinn and Mountlake Terrace teacher Vince DiMiero, both earning roughly 20 percent of the overall ballots.

Only Lynnwood Republican Dick Lapinski seemed to be out of contention, earning only 8 percent of the vote.

In the case of Guinn, King County voters were treating her very well, putting her ahead of even Stanford with 30.5 percent of the ballots. She was not faring nearly as well in Snohomish County, where she was running fourth, earning 19.7 percent of the vote.

District 1, Pos. 2 State Representative

Conservative Republican Heidi Munson had a strong showing in early results, earning 48 percent of the overall balloting and leading the way in both King and Snohomish counties.

As in the other District 1 race, second place is less clear.

Overall, Democrat Luis Moscoso was in a dead heat with political newcomer Dave Griffin, both earning roughly 26 percent of the votes.

In King County, Moscoso was well ahead of Griffin, 34 percent to 19 percent. But Snohomish County voters were giving Griffin a slight lead, 26 percent to 24 percent.

“We’ll just keep on plugging ahead,” Munson said. She added there are some clear differences between her and her challengers, especially Moscoso, whose liberal views are almost the polar opposite of Munson’s

Munson clearly was not hurt much at the polls by a rating of “not qualified” handed out by the Municipal League of King County. Munson said she was “quite surprised” by the rating, adding she had never met with the group.

“I don’t see how they could have rated me… They actually don’t know me at all,” she said.