Kerry Wins Washington

With 97 percent of the state's 6,552 precincts reporting, Kerry was rolling up 49 percent of the pledged delegates elected to county conventions. That was well ahead of Dean, who had 30 percent.

Dennis Kucinich was third at 8 percent and John Edwards was close behind at 7 percent. Wesley Clark and an uncommitted slate had 3 percent apiece. Al Sharpton barely registered.

An Associated Press projection showed that Kerry should get 47 national convention delegates and Dean 29. Others failed to meet a 15 percent threshold in Washington's nine congressional districts.

Kerry swept past Dean in eight of the state's nine congressional districts. Dean had a narrow edge in Seattle's 7th District, where Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash, was an early supporter.

Washington called off its presidential primaries this year, and both parties are using Iowa-style caucuses.

Typically, caucuses attract only the most politically active, with perhaps 20,000 people attending. A state party spokeswoman, Kirstin Brost, estimated the turnout for Saturday's caucuses could top the 100,000 mark for the first time.

Democrats began the process of electing 76 national convention delegates. The state has 17 "superdelegates," including officeholders and party leaders and two add-on delegates will be chosen at the state convention.