Washington voters were rejecting both statewide initiatives on the 2013 ballot, the nationally-watched I-522 dealing with GMO labeling on some food products and I-517 dealing with additional rights for initiative signature-gatherers.  Seattle voters also chose their first openly gay mayor, Senate Democratic Leader Ed Murray, and voters in SeaTac adopted the country’s first $15-an-hour mandatory minimum wage.

Three special state Senate races were on the ballot. In the 26th, Republican Jan Angel had a small lead over appointed Democratic Sen. Nathan Schlicher in a race that was the most expensive legislative race in state history.  Republicans, who have control of the Senate 25-24 by partnering with two crossover Democrats, were hoping to have a expand their coalition majority, and Democrats were hoping to hold the 26th and gain more seats in 2014 for a working majority.

Two Senate races in Eastern Washington featured two Republican finalists in each. Appointed Sen. Sharon Brown easily dispatched her challenger in the 8th District, but appointed Sen. John Smith was losing to rival Brian Dansel in the 7th.

Voters across the state chose a variety of local elected officials. Coal train/coal port critics were winning Whatcom County seats.

At the statewide level, there were no officeholder campaigns, but the two initiatives generated a lot of interest, particularly the GMO labeling measure, I-522. Opponents spent a record $22 million, financing a media blitz questioning the labeling concept. Before the ad blitz, pollsters had showed the measure passing. But on Wednesday, the measure was losing 55-45.  Tim Eyman, the state’s foremost initiative activist, lost 60-40 margin in his I-517 attempt to broaden the rights of initiative sponsors and signature-gathering crews.  Five advisory measures on revenue bills passed by the Legislature earlier this year drew a mixed reaction from voters. The non-binding votes were mandated under an earlier Eyman initiative.

Counties have until Nov. 26 to certify their returns and Secretary of State Kim Wyman and Gov. Jay Inslee plan to certify the election on Dec. 4.

Results will be updated as counties report their tallies in the coming days.