Washington, DC – Cyrus Habib appears poised to take another major step towards becoming the first 
Iranian American ever to win state-wide office. According to the current totals, Washington voters have given him the highest vote total for Lieutenant Governor in primary elections that were held on Tuesday. If the results hold, Cyrus will face off against Republican Marty McClendon in the November General Election.
With nearly one million ballots counted, Habib holds a slight edge against McClendon, with 20.07% of the vote compared to McClendon’s 20.04%. The third place candidate, Democrat Karen Fraser, currently holds a 16.29% margin. The two candidates with the highest percentage of popular vote in the primary move on to the general election regardless of party affiliation.
If the results hold, Habib would be the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor and have a good chance to defeat his Republican opponent in November. Habib ran against ten candidates in Tuesday’s primary— a total of four Democratic candidates, four Republican candidates, and three third party or independent candidates ran for the position.
Habib is not the traditional candidate. The son of Iranian immigrants, Habib survived three bouts with cancer as a child, and lost his vision at the age of eight while battling the disease. Habib credits the support given to him in the public school system as a resource that helped him succeed. He is a Truman and Rhodes Scholar and has earned degrees from Columbia University, Oxford University, and Yale Law. Habib also interned at Hillary Clinton’s Senate office in New York. Habib currently serves as Democratic Whip in the Washington State Senate and, in 2012, became the first Iranian American elected to a state legislature.
Lieutenant Governors fulfill many duties in Washington state, including by serving as President of the state’s Senate. Additionally, the Lieutenant Governor would replace the Governor if he or she becomes too unfit to fulfill their duties.
Habib has been outspoken about the importance of Iranian Americans being represented in elected office and is an active member of the community. He will be speaking at the National Iranian American Council’s Leadership Conference in September.
To contribute to Cyrus Habib’s campaign visit www.cyrushabib.org/niac
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