LIVE from Kell's: Dow Constantine celebrates big primary election victory

Welcome to NPI's 2009 primary election night coverage.

I am currently at Dow Constantine's party at Kell's Irish Pub in Post Alley. Tonight's the night we learn who will be the finalists in several key local races for County Executive, Mayor of Seattle, and City Council.

As volunteers were setting up for Dow's party, I talked to Angelina, an intern on Dow's campaign, about why she supports Dow. Angelina told me:

I support Dow because he has the right values and is right on the issues. As a student I support him because he is pro-environment and in support of public transportation. He is the kind of person who I see to have great leadership and I trust to handle the issues with the right mix of charisma and intelligence.

As we were speaking, another campaign volunteer walked through the pub, high-fiveing supporters and cheering, "The time is Dow."

At 8:07 I received the first results, told a member of Dow's campaign and he rushed to see the results. There were whispers of 22% throughout the room with sporadic cheering until a campaign member went up on stage and announced the results. This led to enormous cheering and a long chant of "Dow Now".

As Andrew has reported, with 16.65% of eligible ballots tallied, Dow Constantine is at 22.38%, Fred Jarrett is at 12.04%, Larry Phillips is at 11.72%, Ross Hunter is at 10.90%, and Susan Hutchison has 37.40% in the King County Executive race.

Not long after the results were posted, the man of the hour, Dow Constantine arrived. He took off his jacket and tie and started his speech by stating "We got early results that are very very positive."

He then summarized his campaign by declaring that he will "stand up for what's right, persevere, and good things are going to happen."

Then, to loud applause, he said, "I'm proud to be standing here tonight as one of the two top vote getters in this primary... we are headed to the general election!"

After congratulating his three Democratic rivals (Larry Phillips, Ross Hunter, and Fred Jarrett) Dow proceeded to blast his general election opponent. "Susan Hutchison is simply too conservative, too out of step with the mainstream to be King County Executive."

He added that Susan's experience as a television news anchor does not qualify her for the office of Executive. Especially because her campaign is "nothing but platitudes and tired right-wing talking points."

Dow ended on a lighter note stating "We will remake county government consistent with our values and ready for the challenges of a new era." This was followed by cheers of "Dow Now" from supporters.

It's a good night for Dow Constantine... and for progressives in King County.