View source for 2008 Washington gubernatorial election

{{Short description|none}}
{{for|related races|2008 United States gubernatorial elections}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2008 Washington gubernatorial election
| country            = Washington
| type               = presidential
| ongoing            = no
| previous_election  = 2004 Washington gubernatorial election
| previous_year      = 2004
| next_election      = 2012 Washington gubernatorial election
| next_year          = 2012
| election_date      = November 4, 2008
| image1             = File:ChristineGregoireOfficial (cropped).jpg
| image_size         = 150x150px
| candidate1         = '''[[Christine Gregoire]]'''
| party1             = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1      = '''1,598,738'''
| percentage1        = '''53.24%'''
| image2             = File:Dino Rossi (cropped).jpg
| candidate2         = [[Dino Rossi]]
| party2             = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2      = 1,404,124 
| percentage2        = 46.76%
| map_image          = {{switcher |[[File:2008 Washington gubernatorial election results map by county.svg|275px]]|County results |[[File:2008 Washington gubernatorial election by congressional district.svg|275px]]|Congressional district results
 |[[File:2008 WA Gov by precinct.svg|275px]] |Precinct results}}
| map_caption        = '''Gregoire''': {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}} {{legend0|#0D0596|>90%}}<br />'''Rossi''': {{legend0|#E27F7F|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#D72F30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#C21B18|80–90%}} {{legend0|#A80000|>90%}}<br />'''Tie''': {{legend0|#ae8bb1|50%}} {{legend0|#808080|No votes}}
| title              = Governor
| before_election    = [[Christine Gregoire]]
| before_party       = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election     = [[Christine Gregoire]]
| after_party        = Democratic Party (United States)
 }}
{{Elections in Washington (state) sidebar}}
The '''2008 gubernatorial election in Washington''' was held on November 4, 2008. Republican [[Dino Rossi]] and incumbent Democratic Governor [[Christine Gregoire]] emerged from the August 19 primary. This made the 2008 election a rematch between the candidates from the [[2004 Washington gubernatorial election|2004 election]], the closest gubernatorial election in the state's history. In contrast to the recounts and months of legal challenges in their previous contest, Gregoire was the clear winner on November 5 with about 53% of the vote. With a margin of 6.48%, this election was the second-closest race of the [[2008 United States gubernatorial elections|2008 gubernatorial election cycle]], behind only [[2008 North Carolina gubernatorial election|the election in North Carolina]].

==Timeline==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Date
! Year
! Event
! Reference
! Notes
|-
| June 6
| 2008
| Filing deadline
| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://politics1.com/wa.htm |title=Politics 1-Washington |author=Politics1 |access-date=2008-05-31 |archive-date=2008-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612130417/http://www.politics1.com/wa.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
|
|-
| August 19
| 2008
| State primary
| <ref name="electioncalendar"/>
| Same date as general primaries for other offices
|-
| '''November 4'''
| '''2008'''
| '''General election'''
| <ref name="electioncalendar">{{cite web|url=http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/calendar_full.aspx|title=Elections Calendar|work=Washington Secretary of State|access-date=2008-11-05|archive-date=2008-11-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081106062037/http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/calendar_full.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Same date as presidential election and other offices
|-
| November 26
| 2008
| General election
| <ref name="electioncalendar"/>
| Last day for counties to deliver results to the state
|-
| December 4
| 2008
| General election
| <ref name="electioncalendar"/>
| Results certified
|}
<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/calendar.aspx?m=8&y=2008 |title=Calendar |author=Secretary of the State of Washington |access-date=2008-05-31 |archive-date=2008-05-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529040312/https://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/calendar.aspx?m=8&y=2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Primary election==
{{election table|title=Candidates for office}}
|-
!style="background-color:#E9E9E9" valign=top|Candidate
!style="background-color:#E9E9E9"|Stated party preference
!style="background-color:#E9E9E9"|Website
!style="background-color:#E9E9E9"|Notes
|-
|[[Christine Gregoire]] || Prefers [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] || [https://web.archive.org/web/20090930171746/http://www.chrisgregoire.com/] || Incumbent governor
|-
|[[Dino Rossi]] || Prefers [[Republican Party (United States)|G.O.P. Party]] || [https://web.archive.org/web/20001206115400/http://www.dinorossi.com/] || Ex-state senator, 2004 gubernatorial nominee
|-
|Will Baker || Prefers [[Reform Party of the United States of America|Reform Party]] || [https://web.archive.org/web/20070209224256/http://www.thetruthrocks.com/] || Out; lost primary
|-
|Duff Badgley || Prefers [[Green Party (United States)|Green Party]] || [https://web.archive.org/web/20080705130201/http://www.newmenu.org/duffbadgley] || Out; lost primary
|-
|John W. Aiken Jr. || Prefers [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] || [http://www.jwaiken.com/] || Out; lost primary
|-
|Christian Pierre Joubert || Prefers [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] || [http://www.christianforgovernor2008.com/] || Out; lost primary
|-
|[[Chris tudor|Chris Tudor]] || States No Party Preference || [https://web.archive.org/web/20080730001932/http://www.tudor2008.com/] || Out; lost primary
|-
|Javier O. Lopez || Prefers [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] || [https://web.archive.org/web/20080818171654/http://www.lopez2008.org/] || Out; lost primary
|-
|Mohammad Hasan Said || States No Party Preference || [http://www.drsaid.net/] || Out; lost primary
|-
|James White || Prefers [[Independent (politics)|Independent Party]] || [https://web.archive.org/web/20080802005909/http://www.jameswhiteforgovernor08.com/] || Out; lost primary
|-
|colspan=4 align=left|Source: <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080918182010/http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/en/candidatefiling/Pages/Candidateswhohavefiled.aspx?officecodes=3001 Secretary of State]</ref>
|}

The Washington primary election was held August 19, 2008. For the first time, Washington ran a [[top-two primary]], eliminating the "pick a party" primary used [[Washington gubernatorial election, 2004#The primaries|since 2004]]. Unlike traditional primaries, wherein each party with more than one candidate is reduced to a single person to appear on the general election ballot, the system simply reduces the entire crop of candidates from all parties down to the top two candidates, resulting in no more than two candidates appearing on the general election ballot for a given position. As a result, candidates from all parties were essentially running against each other. To allow for ideological identification, each candidate in a partisan race was allowed to indicate an arbitrary party preference.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/en/Documents/VP%20Top%202%20Primary%202008.pdf|title=Announcing Washington State's NEW Top 2 Primary|access-date=2008-08-20|publisher=Washington Office of the Secretary of State|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910015701/http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/en/Documents/VP%20Top%202%20Primary%202008.pdf|archive-date=2008-09-10|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Controversy over Rossi's party preference===
Under the changes to election law made by the passage of Initiative 872, partisan contests are no longer tied to registered parties, but candidates are allowed to indicate an arbitrary "party preference" to appear next to their name on the primary and general election ballots.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.secstate.wa.gov/documentvault/Initiative872text-653.pdf|title=People's Choice Initiative of 2004 (Initiative 872)|publisher=Washington Office of the Secretary of State|access-date=2008-08-27|pages=2|archive-date=2009-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510211357/http://www.secstate.wa.gov/documentvault/Initiative872text-653.pdf|url-status=live}} "Definitions" section, paragraph on the term "partisan office".</ref> An extreme example of this occurred in the 40th District race for state senator, where candidate Timothy Stoddard indicated a preference for the "Salmon Yoga" party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/WEI/Results.aspx?ElectionID=0&RaceID=346&JurisdictionTypeID=5|title=August 19, 2008 Top 2 Primary – Legislative District 40 – State Senator|access-date=2008-08-27|publisher=Washington Office of the Secretary of State|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080826141511/http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/WEI/Results.aspx?ElectionID=0&RaceID=346&JurisdictionTypeID=5|archive-date=2008-08-26|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Republican candidate [[Dino Rossi]] listed his party preference as "G.O.P." instead of the traditional party name "[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]". Critics of Rossi contended that the choice of party name was an attempt to distance himself from any negative opinions associated with the Republican Party.<ref>Washington political blogger Goldy suggested that Rossi was "too ashamed to have the Republican brand attached to his name." {{cite web|url=http://www.horsesass.org/?p=4982|title=BREAKING: Dino Rossi quits Republican Party!|last=Goldstein|first=David|work=HorsesAss.org|access-date=2008-08-20|date=2008-06-05|archive-date=2008-08-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827232712/http://www.horsesass.org/?p=4982|url-status=live}}</ref> Rossi's campaign argued that the difference was insignificant, saying voters are already aware that the terms refer to the same party.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/366154_filings07.html|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|date=2008-06-06|access-date=2008-08-20|title=Rossi not exactly on ballot as Republican|last=Roberts|first=Gregory|archive-date=2021-08-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831153959/https://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Rossi-not-exactly-on-ballot-as-Republican-1275813.php|url-status=live}}</ref> However, an [[Elway Research]] poll taken in August 2008 found that over 25% of registered voters were not aware that the term "GOP" meant the Republican Party.<ref>The Elway press release to news organizations was reprinted in {{cite web|url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/mapesonpolitics/2008/08/washingtons_current_governors.html|title=Washington's current governor's race|work=Mapes on Politics|publisher=The Oregonian|last=Mapes|first=Jeff|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919150157/http://blog.oregonlive.com/mapesonpolitics/2008/08/washingtons_current_governors.html |archive-date=2008-09-19 |access-date=2018-11-07|url-status=live}}</ref>

On September 23, the Washington State Democrats, alleging that the latter is a misrepresentation of his true party affiliation, filed a lawsuit against the Secretary of State to force the state to list Rossi to on the general election ballot as a Republican instead of with the "GOP Party" label.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008199160_rossisuit24m.html|title=Democrats sue to make Rossi call himself "Republican" instead of "GOP"|access-date=2008-09-26|work=Seattle Times|last=Garber|first=Andrew|date=2008-09-24|archive-date=2008-09-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927005606/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008199160_rossisuit24m.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[King County Superior Court]] judge dismissed the suit, saying nothing in state law made the choice of party name illegal, but he acknowledged the potential confusion. Had the lawsuit succeeded, many counties would have had to reprint their ballots, and the already-cast absentee votes of military personnel may have become invalid.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008206582_apwarossigop3rdldwritethru.html|title=Seattle judge OKs ballot with 'GOP' Rossi|date=2008-09-26|access-date=2008-09-26|work=Seattle Times|last=Johnson|first=Gene|archive-date=2008-09-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929030636/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008206582_apwarossigop3rdldwritethru.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Results===
[[File:2008 Washington gubernatorial primary election results map by county.svg|thumb|260px|Results by county:{{Collapsible list
| title = {{legend|#7996E2|Gregoire}}|{{legend|#A5B0FF|40–50%}}|{{legend|#7996E2|50–60%}}|{{legend|#6674DE|60–70%}}
}}{{Collapsible list
| title = {{legend|#E27F7F|Rossi}}|{{legend|#FFB2B2|40–50%}}|{{legend|#E27F7F|50–60%}} | {{legend|#D75D5D|60–70%}}
}}
]]
While the primary was officially held on August 19, 2008, some counties such as [[King County, Washington|King County]] allowed [[absentee ballot]]s to be [[postmark]]ed by that date in order to be valid. As a result, the primary vote tally was not officially certified until September 9, to allow time for mailed-in ballots to arrive and be counted by the counties. As an increasing number of counties allowed, encouraged, or mandated mail-in ballots for voters within the county, the number of such ballots was significant.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/375506_primary19.html?source=mypi|title=Top-two primary kicks off today|last=McGann|first=Chris|date=2008-08-19|access-date=2008-08-21|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|archive-date=2021-08-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831153925/https://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Top-two-primary-kicks-off-today-1282575.php?source=mypi|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Election box begin no change
|title = Nonpartisan blanket primary results{{efn|All party affiliations are given as "Prefers x Party". Independents were listed as "States No Party Preference". Rossi's official preference was "Prefers G.O.P. Party".}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20080819/governor.html|title=August 19, 2008 Primary Results|access-date=2024-08-12 |publisher=Washington Secretary of State}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|candidate = [[Christine Gregoire]]
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|votes = 696,306
|percentage = 48.27%
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|candidate = [[Dino Rossi]]
|party = Republican Party (United States) 
|votes = 668,571
|percentage = 46.35%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate = John W. Aiken Jr.
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|votes = 21,564
|percentage = 1.49%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate = Christian Pierre Joubert
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|votes = 16,646
|percentage = 1.15%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate = James White
|party = Independent
|votes = 10,884
|percentage = 0.75%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate = Duff Badgley
|party = Green Party of the United States
|votes = 9,702
|percentage = 0.67%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate = Christopher A. Tudor
|party = Independent
|votes = 5,600
|percentage = 0.39%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate = Will Baker
|party = Reform Party of the United States of America
|votes = 5,201
|percentage = 0.36%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate = Javier O. Lopez
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|votes = 4,981
|percentage = 0.35%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|candidate = Mohammad Hasan Said
|party = Independent
|votes = 3,002
|percentage = 0.21%
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 1,442,457
|percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}

== General election ==
[[Christine Gregoire]] and [[Dino Rossi]] were declared the winners of the primary and placed on the ballot for the November 4 election, which coincided with the national election. However, with all Washington counties either exclusively or (in the case of Pierce and King counties) predominantly voting via mail-in ballot,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/350326_mailvote07.html|title=King County delays all-mail voting until 2009|date=2008-02-07|access-date=2008-09-26|last=Roberts|first=Gregory|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|archive-date=2021-08-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831153932/https://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/King-County-delays-all-mail-voting-until-2009-1263753.php|url-status=live}}</ref> many votes were cast prior to that date. King County, the largest county in the state, and the one which carried Gregoire to victory in 2004, sent out overseas absentee ballots on October 5, and resident mail-in ballots on October 17.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections.aspx|title=King County Elections|author=King County|access-date=2008-09-26|archive-date=2008-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917161521/http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

In Washington state, mail-in ballots only needed to be postmarked, not received, by November 4, meaning that valid ballots continued to be received and counted after that date.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/en/voterinformation/Pages/VotebyMailFAQ.aspx|title=Vote by Mail FAQ|work=Washington Secretary of State|access-date=2008-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081106062956/http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/en/voterinformation/Pages/VotebyMailFAQ.aspx|archive-date=2008-11-06|url-status=dead}}</ref> For the 2008 election, counties had until November 26 to send results to the state, and the Secretary of State had until December 4 to certify all state results.<ref name=electioncalendar/>

===Predictions===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Source
!Ranking
!As of
|-
|[[The Cook Political Report]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cookpolitical.com/ratings/governor-race-ratings|title=2008 Governor Race ratings|website=The Cook Political Report|language=en|access-date=March 4, 2021|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105151720/https://cookpolitical.com/ratings/governor-race-ratings|url-status=live}}</ref>
|{{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
|October 16, 2008
|-
| [[Stuart Rothenberg|Rothenberg Political Report]]<ref>{{cite web | title=2008 Gubernatorial Ratings | url=https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/governor/2008-gubernatorial-ratings6 | work=Gubernatorial Ratings | publisher=The Rothenberg Political Report | access-date=May 25, 2021 | archive-date=May 26, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526005618/https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/governor/2008-gubernatorial-ratings6 | url-status=live }}</ref>
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
| November 2, 2008
|-
| [[Sabato's Crystal Ball]]<ref>{{cite web | title=THE LAST LAST WORD The Crystal Ball's Final Projections for the 2008 Election | url=https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/ljs2008110301/ | website=Sabato's Crystal Ball | date=3 November 2008 | access-date=December 25, 2021 }}</ref>
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
| November 3, 2008
|-
|[[Real Clear Politics]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 4, 2008 |title=2008 Washington Governor Race |url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/governor/wa/washington_governor-584.html |access-date=March 5, 2021 |publisher=[[RealClearPolitics]] |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122040051/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/governor/wa/washington_governor-584.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|{{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
|November 4, 2008
|}

===Polling===
'''Aggregate polls'''<br />
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;line-height:17px"
!Source of poll<br />aggregation
!Dates<br />administered
!Dates<br />updated
! style="width:100px;"| Christine<br />Gregoire (D)
! style="width:100px;"| Dino<br />Rossi (R)
! style="width:100px;"| Other/Undecided<br />{{Efn|Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.|name=|group=}}
!Margin
|-
|[[Real Clear Politics]]<ref>[https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/governor/wa/washington_governor-584.html Real Clear Politics]</ref>
|October 22 – November 2, 2008
|November 2, 2008
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''50.7%'''
|47.3%
|2.0%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''Gregoire +3.4%'''
|}
{{Graph:Chart
 | width=700
 | height=400
 | xAxisTitle=
 | yAxisTitle=%support
 | xAxisAngle = -40
 | legend=Candidate
 | interpolate = basis
 | size = 77
 | xType = date
 | y1Title=Christine Gregoire
 | y2Title=Dino Rossi
 | y3Title=Undecided
 | type=line
 |xGrid=
 | x= 2006/03/26, 2007/10/07, 2007/10/29, 2008/01/06, 2008/02/18, 2008/02/28, 2008/03/27, 2008/04/07, 2008/04/16, 2008/04/22, 2008/05/12, 2008/06/09 1:00, 2008/06/09 12:00, 2008/06/22, 2008/07/09, 2008/07/10, 2008/07/15, 2008/07/27, 2008/08/06, 2008/08/12, 2008/09/07, 2008/09/10, 2008/09/16, 2008/09/22, 2008/10/02, 2008/10/13, 2008/10/22, 2008/10/26 1:00, 2008/10/26 12:00, 2008/10/27, 2008/10/31, 2008/11/02 1:00, 2008/11/02 12:00
 | y1= 38, 47, 47, 48, 54, 46, 47, 48, 50, 43, 52, 50, 50, 47, 49, 45, 49, 47, 47, 50, 47, 46, 46, 50, 48, 48, 50, 51, 49, 50, 50, 52, 50
 | y2= 51, 45, 42, 35, 42, 47, 46, 47, 46, 38, 41, 47, 43, 39, 43, 45, 46, 45, 43, 48, 48, 52, 48, 48, 48, 47, 48, 45, 47, 48, 48, 46, 48
 | y3= 11, 8, 11, 17, 4, 7, 7, 5, 4, 19, 7, 3, 7, 14, 8, 11, 5, 8, 10, 2, 5, 2, 6, 2, 4, 5, 2, 4, 4, 2, 2, 2, 2
 | colors = #3333ff, #e81b23, #dcdcdc
 | showSymbols = 1
 | yGrid = true
 | linewidth = 2.0
}}
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign= bottom
! Poll source
! style="width:160px;"| Date(s)<br />administered
! class=small | Sample<br />size
! <small>Margin of<br />error</small>
! width=100px| Christine<br />Gregoire (D)
! width=100px| Dino<br />Rossi (R)
! Undecided
|-
|[[Survey USA]]<ref>[https://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=4bd151d4-3570-48a8-bcae-6eab4f5ca84c Survey USA]</ref>
| align="center" | October 30-November 2, 2008
| align="center" | –
| align="center" | –
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align="center" | '''52%'''
| align="center" | 46%
| align="center" | 2%
|-
|[[Survey USA]]<ref>[https://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=bde668c1-54fa-4303-89aa-7d69ad6e91a0 Survey USA]</ref>
| align=center| October 26–27, 2008
| align=center| –
| align=center| –
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''50%'''
| align=center| 48%
| align=center| 2%
|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref name="Rasmussen Reports">[https://web.archive.org/web/20080714075121/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_governor_elections/washington/election_2008_washington_governor Rasmussen Reports]</ref>
| align=center| October 22, 2008
| align=center| –
| align=center| –
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''50%'''
| align=center| 48%
| align=center| 2%
|-
|[[Survey USA]]<ref>[http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=40846e1b-3762-460f-90d0-b750d26c5bcc/ Survey USA]</ref>
| align=center| October 12–13, 2008
| align=center| –
| align=center| –
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''48%'''
| align=center| 47%
| align=center| 5%
|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref name="Rasmussen Reports"/>
| align=center| October 2, 2008
| align=center| –
| align=center| –
| align=center| '''48%'''
| align=center| '''48%'''
| align=center| 4%
|-
|[[Survey USA]]<ref>[http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=023ce240-3e1e-44ae-ac11-7a76e3faf39c/ Survey USA]</ref>
| align=center| September 21–22, 2008
| align=center| –
| align=center| –
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''50%'''
| align=center| 48%
| align=center| 2%
|-
|[[Strategic Vision]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080921074821/http://www.strategicvision.biz/political/washington_poll_091908.htm Strategic Vision]</ref>
| align=center| September 14–16, 2008
| align=center| 800
| align=center| ± 3.0%
| align=center| 46%
| {{party shading/Republican}} align=center| '''48%'''
| align=center| 6%
|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref name="Rasmussen Reports"/>
| align=center| September 10, 2008
| align=center| –
| align=center| –
| align=center| 46%
| {{party shading/Republican}} align=center| '''52%'''
| align=center| 2%
|-
|[[Survey USA]]<ref>[http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=228afe99-966e-456a-ad47-3ff5c9c0fb73/ Survey USA]</ref>
| align=center| September 5–7, 2008
| align=center| –
| align=center| –
| align=center| 47%
| {{party shading/Republican}} align=center| '''48%'''
| align=center| 5%
|-
|[[SurveyUSA]]<ref>[http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=8b7a8b3e-bd31-4d73-bd8f-885b1ed7c5a2 SurveyUSA]</ref>
| align=center| August 11–12, 2008
| align=center| 718
| align=center| ± 3.7%
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''50%'''
| align=center| 48%
| align=center| 2%
|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080405165123/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_governor_elections/washington/election_2008_washington_governor Rasmussen Reports]</ref>
| align=center| August 6, 2008
| align=center| –
| align=center| –
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''47%'''
| align=center| 43%
| align=center| 10%
|-
|[[Strategic Vision]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080919100129/http://www.strategicvision.biz/political/wa_poll_083008.htm Strategic Vision]</ref>
| align=center| July 25–27, 2008
| align=center| 800
| align=center| ± 3.0%
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''47%'''
| align=center| 45%
| align=center| 8%
|-
|[[SurveyUSA]]<ref>[https://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=32ef7757-2c29-41e4-8e64-3234df09597a SurveyUSA]</ref>
| align=center| July 13–15, 2008
| align=center| 666
| align=center| ± 3.9%
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''49%'''
| align=center| 46%
| align=center| 5%
|-
|[[Moore Information]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080908032913/http://www.moore-info.com/MI_WAElections7.08.htm Moore Information]</ref>
| align=center| July 9–10, 2008
| align=center| 400
| align=center| ± 5.0%
| align=center| '''45%'''
| align=center| '''45%'''
| align=center| 11%
|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref name="Rasmussen Reports"/>
| align=center| July 9, 2008
| align=center| –
| align=center| –
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''49%'''
| align=center| 43%
| align=center| 8%
|-
|[[Elway Poll]]<ref>[http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/142250.asp Elway Poll]</ref>
| align=center| June 18–22, 2008
| align=center| 405
| align=center| ± 5.0%
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''47%'''
| align=center| 39%
| align=center| 14%
|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080624040609/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_governor_elections/washington/election_2008_washington_governor Rasmussen Reports]</ref>
| align=center| June 9, 2008
| align=center| –
| align=center| –
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''50%'''
| align=center| 43%
| align=center| 7%
|-
|[[SurveyUSA]]<ref>[http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=9f4931dd-b0c7-4b2e-a5f2-e864ca429614 SurveyUSA]</ref>
| align=center| June 9, 2008
| align=center| 637
| align=center| ± 4.0%
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''50%'''
| align=center| 47%
| align=center| 3%
|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080918060609/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_governor_elections/washington/washington_governor_gregoire_d_52_rossi_r_41 Rasmussen Reports]</ref>
| align=center| May 12, 2008
| align=center| –
| align=center| –
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''52%'''
| align=center| 41%
| align=center| 7%
|-
|[[Elway Poll]]<ref>[http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/137934.asp Elway Poll]</ref>
| align=center| April 21–22, 2008
| align=center| 405
| align=center| ± 5.0%
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''43%'''
| align=center| 38%
| align=center| 19%
|-
|[[SurveyUSA]]<ref>[http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=25b730de-3dd3-48cb-b719-afecbb9c5cd3 SurveyUSA]</ref>
| align=center| April 14–16, 2008
| align=center| 634
| align=center| ± 4.0%
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''50%'''
| align=center| 46%
| align=center| 4%
|-
|[[SurveyUSA]]<ref>[http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReportEmail.aspx?g=e454be76-7e6d-4389-83a9-80353e267f6b SurveyUSA]</ref>
| align=center| April 7, 2008
| align=center| 607
| align=center| ± 4.1%
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''48%'''
| align=center| 47%
| align=center| 5%
|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_governor_elections/washington/washington_governor_gregoire_47_rossi_46Rasmussen Rasmussen Reports] {{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
| align=center| March 27, 2008
| align=center| –
| align=center| –
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''47%'''
| align=center| 46%
| align=center| 7%
|-
|[[Rasmussen Reports]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080622183343/http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_governor_elections/washington/washington_governor_rossi_47_gregoire_46 Rasmussen Reports]</ref>
| align=center| February 28, 2008
| align=center| –
| align=center| –
| align=center| 46%
| {{party shading/Republican}} align=center| '''47%'''
| align=center| 7%
|-
|[[Washington Poll]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080910015701/http://www.washingtonpoll.org/results/022108.ppt Washington Poll]</ref>
| align=center| February 7–18, 2008
| align=center| 300
| align=center| ± 5.6%
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''54%'''
| align=center| 42%
| align=center| 4%
|-
|[[Elway Poll]]<ref>[http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/129469.asp Elway Poll]</ref>
| align=center| January 3–6, 2008
| align=center| 405
| align=center| –
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''48%'''
| align=center| 35%
| align=center| 17%
|-
|[[Washington Poll]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080910015702/http://www.washingtonpoll.org/results/110807.ppt Washington Poll]</ref>
| align=center| October 22–29, 2007
| align=center| 601
| align=center| ± 4.0%
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''47%'''
| align=center| 42%
| align=center| 11%
|-
|[[Strategic Vision]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071114073902/http://www.strategicvision.biz/political/washington_poll_101207.htm Strategic Vision]</ref>
| align=center| October 5–7, 2007
| align=center| 800
| align=center| ± 3.0%
| {{party shading/Democratic}} align=center| '''47%'''
| align=center| 45%
| align=center| 8%
|-
|[[Strategic Vision]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070930201312/http://strategicvision.biz/political/washington_poll_033106.htm Strategic Vision]</ref>
| align=center| March 24–26, 2006
| align=center| 800
| align=center| ± 3.0%
| align=center| 38%
| {{party shading/Republican}} align=center| '''51%'''
| align=center| 11%
|-
|}

===Police Guild press conference incident===
At an August 7 press conference held by the Seattle Police Officers Guild to declare its endorsement of Rossi, the Guild forcibly removed Kelly Akers, a Gregoire campaign staffer who was filming the event, from the premises. The Rossi campaign reiterated a standing policy to prevent opposing campaigns from filming Rossi's appearances, to deny them the ability to take "attack footage." Rossi's campaign staff includes a cameraman tasked with filming Gregoire appearances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/video.html|title=Dem cameraman is evicted from Dino Rossi event|access-date=2008-09-26|date=2008-08-12|last1=Postman|first1=David|first2=Andrew|last2= Garber|work=Seattle Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108044227/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/dem-cameraman-is-evicted-from-dino-rossi-event/ |archive-date=2018-11-08 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Debates===
Five debates were held<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2008/09/08/debate_schedule_gregoire_rossi_preparing|title=Debate schedule: Gregoire, Rossi preparing to face-off at least five times|last=Hagey|first=Jason|work=Political Buzz|publisher=Tacoma News Tribune|date=2008-09-08|access-date=2008-09-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216145246/http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2008/09/08/debate_schedule_gregoire_rossi_preparing|archive-date=2008-12-16|url-status=dead}}</ref>
between Gregoire and Rossi, the candidates in the general election.

{| class="wikitable"
!Date!!Time!!Location!!Sponsors
|-
|2008-09-20||9:00 PM||Fisher Plaza ([[Seattle]])||Fisher Communications, [[League of Women Voters]], ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]''
|-
|2008-09-25||7:30 PM||Semiahmoo Resort ([[Blaine, Washington|Blaine]])||Association of Washington Business [https://www.c-span.org/video/?281487-1/washington-gubernatorial-debate Complete video of debate] - [[C-SPAN]]
|-
|2008-10-01||7:00 PM||Capitol Theatre ([[Yakima, Washington|Yakima]])||[[KCTS 9]], ''[[Yakima Herald-Republic]]''
|-
|2008-10-09||7:00 PM<sup>*</sup><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=17115|work=Spokane Spokesman-Review|title=Gov. Gregoire, Rossi debate|last=Brunt|first=Josh|date=2008-10-09|access-date=2008-10-09|archive-date=2008-10-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012042527/http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=17115|url-status=live}}</ref>||[[KSPS-TV]] Studios ([[Spokane]])||[[KSPS-TV]], ''[[Spokane Spokesman-Review]]''<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Brunt |first1=Jonathan |title=Gov. Gregoire, Rossi debate budget |url=http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=17115 |website=Spokesman Review |access-date=November 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012042527/http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=17115 |archive-date=October 12, 2008 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
|-
|2008-10-15||8:00 PM<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008229116_debatetruth05m0.html|work=Seattle Times|title=The truth behind claims by Rossi, Gregoire|date=2008-10-05|last=Garber|first=Andrew|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113063715/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/the-truth-behind-claims-by-rossi-gregoire/ |archive-date=2016-01-13 |access-date=2018-11-08 |url-status=live }} (Sidebar: "Rossi-Gregoire debates")</ref>||TBD||[[KING-TV]], ''[[Seattle Times]]'', [[NPR]]
|}
<sup>*</sup><small>The Spokane debate was taped in the morning to be aired at the indicated time. All other debates were held and aired live.</small>

The Gregoire campaign had sought a sixth debate in [[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]], sponsored by the ''[[Tacoma News-Tribune]]''. The Rossi campaign instead sought a sixth debate in [[Vancouver, Washington]], sponsored by ''[[The Columbian]]''. The local Camas-Washougal [[Rotary Club]] went so far as to reserve a venue for October 8. The campaigns could not agree on either event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/487474.html|title=Gregoire, Rossi kick off debate schedule tonight|access-date=2008-09-26|date=2008-09-26|work=Tacoma News Tribune|last=Hagey|first=Jason}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2008/09/08/debate_schedule_gregoire_rossi_preparing|title=Debate schedule: Gregoire, Rossi preparing to face-off at least five times|access-date=2008-12-15|date=2008-09-08|work=Political Buzz|publisher=Tacoma News Tribune|last=Hagey|first=Jason|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216145246/http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2008/09/08/debate_schedule_gregoire_rossi_preparing|archive-date=2008-12-16|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cwwatch.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/chris-gregoire-too-busy-to-debate-rossi-in-clark-county/|title=Chris Gregoire Too Busy to Debate Rossi in Clark County|work=Camas Washougal Watch|date=2008-08-12|access-date=2008-12-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718092337/http://cwwatch.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/chris-gregoire-too-busy-to-debate-rossi-in-clark-county/|archive-date=2011-07-18|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Gregoire declines offers to debate Rossi locally|work=The Columbian|date=2008-08-07|last=Durbin|first=Kathie}}</ref>

The Gregoire campaign had set aside August 15 for a pre-primary radio debate with Rossi on Seattle NPR station [[KUOW-FM]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/263970.html|title=Gregoire, Rossi plan gubernatorial debates|date=2008-08-05|access-date=2008-09-26|work=Tri-City Herald|last=Mulick|first=Chris|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204160912/http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/263970.html|archive-date=2013-02-04|url-status=dead}}</ref> Rossi declined to appear, giving Gregoire solo airtime.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/146295.asp|title=Rossi to NPR: I won't show|date=2008-08-15|access-date=2008-09-26|work=Strange Bedfellows|publisher=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|last=Connelly|first=Joel|archive-date=2008-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080826112124/http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/146295.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Results===
Gregoire declared victory after late evening returns were posted, with 42% of the statewide vote counted, showing her with a 52% lead over Rossi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hHmrRDr4Xw21StpjXaMOCUUUaFOAD948KVB80 |title=Gregoire claims victory in Washington gov. rematch |last=La Corte |first=Rachel |agency=Associated Press |date=2008-11-04 |access-date=2008-11-05 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> By 10:30 PM PST (1:30 AM EST) all five major television networks had called the race for Gregoire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2008/11/04/networks_call_it_for_gregoire_is_it_real|title=Networks call it for Gregoire. Is it real?|last=Callaghan|first=Peter|work=Political Buzz|publisher=Tacoma News Tribune|date=2008-11-04|access-date=2008-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216145304/http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2008/11/04/networks_call_it_for_gregoire_is_it_real|archive-date=2008-12-16|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Rossi campaign called the networks' declarations "premature" and did not concede defeat that evening. Rossi held out hope that late ballots would carry him, as late returns had reversed an early Gregoire lead in [[Washington gubernatorial election, 2004|2004]]. Rossi conceded the next morning.

Rossi conceded defeat in the gubernatorial election on November 5. In his concession speech, he indicated that he was not planning a return to politics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_wa_governor.html |title=Republican Rossi concedes Wash governor's race |publisher=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=2008-11-05 |access-date=2008-11-05 |last=La Corte |first=Rachel }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Rossi's retirement from politics was short-lived: in [[2010 United States Senate election in Washington|2010]] he ran in (and lost) the race for United States Senate against [[Patty Murray]].

{{Election box begin | title=2008 Washington gubernatorial election<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20081104/governor.html|title=November 04, 2008 General Election Results|access-date=2024-08-12 |publisher=Washington Secretary of State}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
  |party      = Washington Democratic Party
  |candidate  = [[Christine Gregoire]] (incumbent)
  |votes      = 1,598,738
  |percentage = 53.24%
  |change     = +4.37%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Washington Republican Party
  |candidate  = [[Dino Rossi]]
  |votes      = 1,404,124   
  |percentage = 46.76%
  |change     = -2.11%
}}
{{Election box majority|
  |votes      = 194,614
  |percentage = 6.48%
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box total|
  |votes      = 3,002,862
  |percentage = 100.00%
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
  |winner     = Democratic Party (United States)
  |swing      = +6.48%
}}
{{Election box end}}

====By county====
{|class="wikitable sortable"
! style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" |County<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20081104/governor_bycounty.html|title=November 04, 2008 General Election Results|access-date=2024-08-12 |publisher=Washington Secretary of State}}</ref>
! style="text-align:center;" colspan="2" |Christine Gregoire<br />Democratic
! style="text-align:center;" colspan="2" |Dino Rossi<br />Republican
! style="text-align:center;" colspan="2" |Margin
! style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" |Total votes cast
|- bgcolor="lightgrey"
! style="text-align:center;" data-sort-type="number" |#
! style="text-align:center;" data-sort-type="number" |%
! style="text-align:center;" data-sort-type="number" |#
! style="text-align:center;" data-sort-type="number" |%
! style="text-align:center;" data-sort-type="number" |#
! style="text-align:center;" data-sort-type="number" |%
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Adams County, Washington|Adams]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|1,453
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|30.17%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|3,363
| {{party shading/Republican}}|69.83%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-1,910
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-39.66%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|4,816
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Asotin County, Washington|Asotin]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|4,254
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|43.92%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|5,432
| {{party shading/Republican}}|56.08%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-1,178
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-12.16%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|9,686
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Benton County, Washington|Benton]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|21,968
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|30.26%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|50,635
| {{party shading/Republican}}|69.74%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-28,667
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-39.48%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|72,603
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Chelan County, Washington|Chelan]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|12,087
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|37.99%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|19,730
| {{party shading/Republican}}|62.01%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-7,643
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-24.02%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|31,817
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Clallam County, Washington|Clallam]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|18,987
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|49.42%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|19,431
| {{party shading/Republican}}|50.58%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-444
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-1.16%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|38,418
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Clark County, Washington|Clark]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|87,683
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|48.99%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|91,301
| {{party shading/Republican}}|51.01%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-3,618
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-2.02%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|178,984
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Columbia County, Washington|Columbia]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|706
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|31.48%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|1,537
| {{party shading/Republican}}|68.52%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-831
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-37.05%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|2,243
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Cowlitz County, Washington|Cowlitz]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|20,723
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|46.38%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|23,954
| {{party shading/Republican}}|53.62%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-3,231
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-7.23%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|44,677
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Douglas County, Washington|Douglas]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|5,128
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|33.87%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|10,013
| {{party shading/Republican}}|66.13%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-4,885
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-32.26%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|15,141
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Ferry County, Washington|Ferry]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|1,330
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|38.33%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|2,140
| {{party shading/Republican}}|61.67%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-810
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-23.34%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|3,470
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Franklin County, Washington|Franklin]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|6,365
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|32.41%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|13,276
| {{party shading/Republican}}|67.59%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-6,911
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-35.19%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|19,641
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Garfield County, Washington|Garfield]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|434
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|32.01%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|922
| {{party shading/Republican}}|67.99%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-488
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-35.99%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|1,356
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Grant County, Washington|Grant]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|8,732
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|31.94%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|18,604
| {{party shading/Republican}}|68.06%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-9,872
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-36.11%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|27,336
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Grays Harbor County, Washington|Grays Harbor]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|15,729
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|53.98%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|13,407
| {{party shading/Republican}}|46.02%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|2,322
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|7.97%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|29,136
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Island County, Washington|Island]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|20,891
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|50.24%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|20,688
| {{party shading/Republican}}|49.76%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|203
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|0.49%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|41,579
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Jefferson County, Washington|Jefferson]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|12,588
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|63.61%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|7,200
| {{party shading/Republican}}|36.39%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|5,388
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|27.23%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|19,788
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[King County, Washington|King]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|583,357
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|64.16%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|325,820
| {{party shading/Republican}}|35.84%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|257,537
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|28.33%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|909,177
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Kitsap County, Washington|Kitsap]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|62,478
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|50.74%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|60,656
| {{party shading/Republican}}|49.26%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|1,822
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|1.48%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|123,134
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Kittitas County, Washington|Kittitas]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|6,988
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|39.44%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|10,732
| {{party shading/Republican}}|60.56%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-3,744
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-21.13%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|17,720
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Klickitat County, Washington|Klickitat]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|4,538
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|45.42%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|5,454
| {{party shading/Republican}}|54.58%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-916
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-9.17%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|9,992
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Lewis County, Washington|Lewis]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|12,283
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|35.47%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|22,347
| {{party shading/Republican}}|64.53%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-10,064
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-29.06%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|34,630
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Lincoln County, Washington|Lincoln]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|2,052
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|34.66%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|3,868
| {{party shading/Republican}}|65.34%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-1,816
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-30.68%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|5,920
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Mason County, Washington|Mason]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|13,942
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|49.58%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|14,181
| {{party shading/Republican}}|50.42%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-239
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-0.85%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|28,123
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Okanogan County, Washington|Okanogan]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|6,575
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|39.27%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|10,168
| {{party shading/Republican}}|60.73%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-3,593
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-21.46%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|16,743
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Pacific County, Washington|Pacific]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|5,695
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|52.28%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|5,198
| {{party shading/Republican}}|47.72%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|497
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|4.56%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|10,893
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Pend Oreille County, Washington|Pend Oreille]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|2,571
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|39.66%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|3,912
| {{party shading/Republican}}|60.34%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-1,341
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-20.68%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|6,483
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Pierce County, Washington|Pierce]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|166,562
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|51.10%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|159,363
| {{party shading/Republican}}|48.90%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|7,199
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|2.21%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|325,925
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[San Juan County, Washington|San Juan]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|7,044
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|67.73%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|3,356
| {{party shading/Republican}}|32.27%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|3,688
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|35.46%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|10,400
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Skagit County, Washington|Skagit]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|27,915
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|50.33%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|27,545
| {{party shading/Republican}}|49.67%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|370
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|0.67%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|55,560
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Skamania County, Washington|Skamania]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|2,564
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|47.68%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|2,813
| {{party shading/Republican}}|52.32%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-249
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-4.63%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|5,377
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Snohomish County, Washington|Snohomish]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|167,175
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|52.67%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|150,205
| {{party shading/Republican}}|47.33%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|16,970
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|5.35%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|317,380
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Spokane County, Washington|Spokane]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|104,369
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|48.11%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|112,570
| {{party shading/Republican}}|51.89%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-8,201
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-3.78%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|216,939
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Stevens County, Washington|Stevens]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|7,771
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|35.02%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|14,418
| {{party shading/Republican}}|64.98%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-6,647
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-29.96%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|22,189
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Thurston County, Washington|Thurston]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|72,652
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|57.88%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|52,880
| {{party shading/Republican}}|42.12%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|19,772
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|15.75%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|125,532
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Wahkiakum County, Washington|Wahkiakum]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|960
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|41.92%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|1,330
| {{party shading/Republican}}|58.08%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-370
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-16.16%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|2,290
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Walla Walla County, Washington|Walla Walla]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|9,405
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|38.32%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|15,137
| {{party shading/Republican}}|61.68%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-5,732
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-23.36%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|24,542
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Whatcom County, Washington|Whatcom]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|54,249
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|54.67%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|44,975
| {{party shading/Republican}}|45.33%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|9,274
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|9.35%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|99,224
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Whitman County, Washington|Whitman]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|8,363
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|48.46%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|8,896
| {{party shading/Republican}}|51.54%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-533
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-3.09%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|17,259
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Yakima County, Washington|Yakima]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|30,172
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|39.27%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|46,667
| {{party shading/Republican}}|60.73%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-16,495
| {{party shading/Republican}}|-21.47%
| {{party shading/Republican}}|76,839
|-
!Totals!!1,598,738!!53.24%!!1,404,124!!46.76%!!194,614!!6.48%!!3,002,862
|}

;Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
*[[Island County, Washington|Island]] (largest city: [[Oak Harbor, Washington|Oak Harbor]])
*[[Kitsap County, Washington|Kitsap]] (largest city: [[Bremerton, Washington|Bremerton]])
*[[Pierce County, Washington|Pierce]] (largest city: [[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]])
*[[Skagit County, Washington|Skagit]] (largest city: [[Mount Vernon, Washington|Mount Vernon]])
*[[Snohomish County, Washington|Snohomish]] (largest city: [[Everett, Washington|Everett]])

;Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
*[[Cowlitz County, Washington|Cowlitz]] (largest city: [[Longview, Washington|Longview]])

====By congressional district====
Gregoire won 5 of 9 congressional districts, with the remaining 4 going to Rossi, including one that elected a Democrat.<ref>{{cite web |title=2008 General Data |url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/2008-general-data.zip |website=sos.wa.gov |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520224356/https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/2008-general-data.zip |archive-date=2024-05-20}}</ref>
{|class=wikitable
! District
! Gregoire
! Rossi
! Representative
|- align=center
! {{party shading/Democratic}}|{{ushr|Washington|1|1st}}
| '''56%'''
| 44%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Jay Inslee]]
|- align=center
! {{party shading/Democratic}}|{{ushr|Washington|2|2nd}}
| '''52%'''
| 48%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Rick Larsen]]
|- align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Washington|3|3rd}}
| 49.6%
| '''50.4%'''
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Brian Baird]]
|- align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Washington|4|4th}}
| 35%
| '''65%'''
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Doc Hastings]]
|- align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Washington|5|5th}}
| 45%
| '''55%'''
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Cathy McMorris Rodgers]]
|- align=center
! {{party shading/Democratic}}|{{ushr|Washington|6|6th}}
| '''54%'''
| 46%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Norm Dicks]]
|- align=center
! {{party shading/Democratic}}|{{ushr|Washington|7|7th}}
| '''79%'''
| 21%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Jim McDermott]]
|- align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Washington|8|8th}}
| 49%
| '''51%'''
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Dave Reichert]]
|- align=center
! {{party shading/Democratic}}|{{ushr|Washington|9|9th}}
| '''54%'''
| 46%
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Adam Smith (Washington politician)|Adam Smith]]
|}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/ Elections] from the ''Washington Secretary of State''
*[http://www.votesmart.org/election_governor_five_categories.php?state_id=WA Washington Governor candidates] at [[Project Vote Smart]]
*[http://www.2008racetracker.com/page/WA-Gov Washington Governor race] from ''2008 Race Tracker''
*[http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/state_candidates.phtml?s=WA=2008&f=G Campaign contributions]{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} from ''Follow the Money''
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080820213324/http://www.pollster.com/08-WA-Gov-GE-RvG.php Rossi (R) vs Gregoire (D-i)] graph of collected poll results from ''Pollster.com''
*''Official campaign websites'' (Archived)
**[https://web.archive.org/web/20081029214130/http://www.chrisgregoire.com/ Christine Gregoire], Democratic incumbent candidate
**[https://web.archive.org/web/20081003002651/http://www.dinorossi.com/ Dino Rossi], Republican candidate

{{Elections in Washington (state) footer}}
{{2008 United States elections}}

[[Category:2008 United States gubernatorial elections|Washington]]
[[Category:2008 Washington (state) elections|Gubernatorial]]
[[Category:Washington (state) gubernatorial elections|2008]]