[1] Incumbent Cyrus Habib surprised the state by announcing he was foregoing a run for re-election in order to join the Society of Jesus.

[2] The position was of special importance due to speculation that the incumbent governor, Jay Inslee, could have been appointed to a position in a Democratic presidential cabinet after winning his third term.

[6][7] On the day of his retirement, State Senator Steve Hobbs announced his second campaign for the office of lieutenant governor,[7] after losing in the 2016 primary to then-State Senator Habib.

All candidates were listed on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation, and the top two advanced to the general election in November.

After being eliminated in the August 4th gubernatorial primary, Joshua Freed announced that he would be running for lieutenant governor as a write-in candidate.