In the August 2 primary, residents voted for one of several candidates from a range of party affiliations.

The top two finishers, incumbent Governor Jay Inslee (Democratic)[1] and Port of Seattle Commissioner Bill Bryant (Republican), moved on to the November general election, which Inslee won.

This was the last gubernatorial election in Washington in which the margin of victory was within single digits.

Democratic governor Christine Gregoire declined to seek a third term in 2012.

Democratic former U.S. Representative Jay Inslee was elected to succeed her, defeating Republican Rob McKenna, the outgoing Attorney General of Washington, by 51.4% to 48.3%.