Based on early primary elections returns, several local races are setting the stage for a tight battle in November.

As of Thursday morning, Republican candidate for state Senate from the 45th District and Redmond resident, Andy Hill, was beating incumbent Democrat and Kirkland resident Eric Oemig 51.20-48.68 percent.

Hill said the early results send a strong signal that “my message is resonating. There is disconnect between what the people want and what’s going in Olympia. Olympia isn’t listening.”

Oemig sent the Reporter a message through his iPhone, saying he is confident he will come out on top come November.

“It will be a close race,” said Oemig, who has represented the 45th District since 2007. “This is a swing district. I represent our values well. I expect that when everyone has had a chance to vote in November I will win.”

In the Legislative Districts affecting Redmond — Districts 45 and 48 — only two candidates had filed for each of the positions to be filled so they will automatically advance to the November election. But primary election results show voters’ preferences at this time and like the Hill-Oemig battle, many of the local legislative races are quite close.

State Rep. Roger Goodman, a Democrat who holds Position 1 in the 45th Legislative District, held a slim 50.35-49.53 percent lead over Republican challenger Kevin Haistings. Democrat Larry Springer, a Kirkland resident, held a wider margin against challenger Republican Mark Isaacs, 55.06-44.80 percent for Position 2.

The 48th District state Senate race is led by Democrat incumbent Rodney Tom, who holds a 52.26-47.57 percent over Republican challenger Gregg Bennett.

Medina Democrat Ross Hunter, who holds Position 1 in the 48th District, is beating Republican challenger Diane Tebelius, 54.56-45.32 percent. In the Position 2 race, Democrat incumbent Deb Eddy is leading Republican challenger, Philip Wilson, 53.83-46.04 percent.

In the race for United States Senator, it will be incumbent Democrat Patty Murray against Republican challenger Dino Rossi in November. Murray received the most votes with 58.28 percent. Rossi was second with 27.93 percent.

United States Rep. Dave Reichert whose Eighth Congressional District includes parts of Redmond, earned 46.80 percent of the votes and will be challenged by Suzan DelBene in November as she received 28.64 percent of the vote in a field of nine candidates. In the First District, which also includes parts of Redmond, Democrat incumbent Jay Inslee holds a strong lead, 58.94-27.80 percent, over Republican challenger James Watkins.

Here are the two leading candidates for the Aug. 17 primary races involving Redmond, Congressional Districts 1 and 8 and U.S. Senate:

Legislative District 45

With 22,289 ballots counted out of 82,597 registered voters (26.99 percent), newcomer Andy Hill (Republican) is leading with 10,976 votes (5l.20), while incumbent Eric Oemig has 10,436 votes (48.68 percent).

For State Representative, Position 1, incumbent Roger Goodman (Democrat) is leading with 10,612 votes (50.35 percent) and Kevin Haistings (Republican) has 10,438 votes (49.53 percent).

For State Representative, Position 2, incumbent Larry Springer (Democrat) is leading with 11,678 votes (55.06 percent) and Mark Isaacs (Republican) has 9,502 votes (44.80 percent).

Legislative District 48

With 19,399 votes counted out of 66,950 registered voters (28.98 percent), the State Senate race is led by incumbent Rodney Tom (Democrat) with 9,868 votes (52.26 percent) and Gregg Bennett (Republican) has 8,983 votes (47.57 percent).

For State Representative, Position 1, incumbent Ross Hunter (Democrat) is leading with 10,192 votes (54.56 percent) and Diane Tebelius (Republican) has 8,466 votes (45.32 percent).

For State Representative, Position 2, incumbent Deb Eddy (Democrat) is leading with 9,938 votes (53.83 percent) and Philip L. Wilson (Republican) has 8,501 votes (46.04 percent).

Congressional District 1

With 42,049 ballots counted, out of 150,988 registered voters (27.85 percent), incumbent Jay Inslee (Democrat) is leading with 23,786 votes (58.94 percent) and James Watkins (Republican) is next with 11,219 votes (27.80 percent).

Congressional District 8

With 96,593 ballots counted of 348,750 registered voters (27.70 percent), incumbent Dave Reichert (Republican) is leading with 43,859 votes (46.80 percent), followed by Suzan DelBene (Democrat) with 26,846 votes (28.64 percent).

United States Senate

With 286,130 ballots counted out of 1,074,731 registered voters (26.62 percent) incumbent Patty Murray (Democrat) is leading with 165,462 (58.28 percent) of the votes. Dino Rossi (Republican) is next with 79,291 (27.93 percent) of the votes.

For complete King County Election results, click here.