In an extremely important Senate race in the 2nd District (Rural Pierce County which includes cities such as Orting, Eatonville, Yelm and even Mt Rainier), incumbent Democrat Marilyn Rasmussen is now TRAILING by 120 votes 16,823 – 49.80% to 16,957 – 50.20% against the Republican challenger Randi Becker. This is very big and very sad at the same time but is too soon and too close to call right now. Stay tuned!
In other close contests Republicans continue to pad their leads as votes continue to be counted, including Kevin Parker running against incumbent Democrat Don A. Barlow in the 6th District (Spokane County outside of downtown Spokane). Parker now leads by 2,815 votes. But in that same District incumbent Republican, John Ahern still trails by just 373 votes to the Democratic challenger John Driscoll.
In the 26th District (Gig Harbor area) Republican Jan Angel widens her lead slightly to 1,275 votes against Democrat Kim Abel. Both are hoping to fill the seat left vacant by retiring Democrat Pat Lantz.
In the 17th District, Republican Don Benton now leads slightly by just 269 votes against Democratic challenger David Carrier. This race made headlines in Southwest Washington and even in Portland after Benton, the incumbent Republican, trailed after election night.
Sadly, the first openly lesbian judge, Jean Rietschel still trails in her race for Superior Court 163,754 – 47.69% to 179,630 – 52.31%.
In other races, Republican Dino Rossi conceeded in the race for Governor yesterday and Democrats still lead in the race for Treasurer to replace Democrat Mike Murphy with Democrat Jim McIntire holding a nearly 70,000 vote lead. Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland is still trailing the Democratic challenger Peter Goldmark by just 28,704 votes in a race where over 1.8 million have voted.
In more depressing news, conservative Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna appears well on his way to victory with solid lead of over 300,000 votes.
