Reardon leading Hope for top county post in run-up to Nov. 8

This season's primary could prove a fun exercise for reading the political tea leaves, even for some races where both candidates automatically advance to the November election.

Take the race between incumbent Democrat Aaron Reardon and Republican Mike Hope for Snohomish County executive.

Reardon held a comfortable lead of 52.7 percent on Tuesday night. But ask Hope, and his 47 percent puts him in good shape for the fall.

"We're right exactly where we thought we would be on the first night, so we're quite pleased," Hope said.