Democrat Concedes Secretary Of State Contest

Democrat Kathleen Drew has conceded the race for Washington secretary of state.

In a statement Saturday, Drew said of her Republican rival Kim Wyman, "I know that she will carry forward Washington’s tradition of fair and impartial elections, and I am optimistic that she will work on measures to remove barriers and increase voter participation."

The race between Drew and Wyman is the tightest contest for a statewide office this election. Wyman will continue 48 years of Republican secretaries of state in Washington if she holds her lead. She is the former auditor of Thurston County.