The GOP in WA tends to run far-right candidates for Governor. They get 40% of the vote, or so. I remember when Ken Eikenberry made Mike Lowry, with his Yasser Arafat beard, look like a middle-of-the-road moderate. As long as they nominate someone totally acceptable to that far right group, they'll get their 40% even if the Dems nominate Bozo the Clown.