With all the focus on the congressional races, let's not overlook...

[woldnewton]

that Dems are KILLING many Repubs in the state senate races, and not just the open seats, but also an amazing number of incumbents!

An expensive effort by Democrats to increase their majority in the state Senate appears to have paid off Tuesday.

In early returns, the party's candidates were leading in several key central Puget Sound races.

Democratic Rep. Derek Kilmer led Republican Jim Hines, both of Gig Harbor, in the District 26 race.

And Democrat Claudia Kauffman, of Kent, led Republican Mike Riley, of Black Diamond, in the District 47 race.

Republicans said they weren't giving up.

"It's not over yet," said Republican Sen. Dave Schmidt, R-Mill Creek, who was trailing his Democratic opponent in District 44. "I've been around this stuff for 25 years, and I know how to watch trends. Republicans always vote late when they vote by mail."

Democrats and their supporters have poured millions of dollars into the state Senate races this election in an effort to increase their majority. They targeted several seats held by Republican senators, many of whom were not seeking re-election.

Democrats now hold a narrow 26-23 majority in the Senate, with a conservative member, Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlach, who often sides with Republicans. They have a larger majority in the House.

Having a bigger Senate majority would let Democrats press "more assertively" for additional funding for public education and health care, said Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane.

Brown also would push to send a constitutional amendment to the ballot that would allow school levies to be approved by a simple majority of voters instead of a 60 percent supermajority. It's legislation that Senate Republicans have repeatedly blocked.




Democrats, for the most part, have outspent their GOP rivals in the contests.

In the Eastside's District 45, Republican Rep. Toby Nixon, R-Kirkland, was trailing Democrat Eric Oemig, of Kirkland, in early returns. They're battling to replace Sen. Bill Finkbeiner, R-Kirkland, who did not seek re-election.

And next door in District 48, Rep. Rodney Tom, D-Medina, was leading incumbent Sen. Luke Esser, R-Bellevue.

"It looks like it's a rugged night to be a Republican, and we're just going to have to hope that late returns lean our way," Esser said of his campaign.

Tom is a former Republican House member who switched parties earlier this year. The race was closely matched in terms of money, with Esser holding a slight edge. Combined, the candidates raised more than $700,000, making it one of the most expensive races in the state.

In the South Sound, Democratic Rep. Kilmer raised more than $470,000, more than three-times as much as Republican Hines did. They were vying to replace Sen. Bob Oke, R-Port Orchard, who did not run again in District 26.

Other Senate races of interest:

District 6 (Spokane): Republican Sen. Brad Benson, R-Spokane, was trailing Democrat Chris Marr, also of Spokane. Democrats have been trying for years to take over the seat, which has been held by Republicans for more than 60 years. The two campaigns raised more than $700,000.

District 31 (South Sound): Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, elected in 1990, was in a tight race with Auburn attorney Yvonne Ward, a Democrat.

District 44 (Snohomish County): Republican Sen. Dave Schmidt, of Mill Creek, was trailing Democrat Steve Hobbs, of Lake Stevens. Schmidt raised more money than Hobbs and picked up several key endorsements, including one from the Washington Education Association, the state's largest teachers union. However, Hobbs benefited from more than $100,000 in independent expenditures from a political action committee tied to Senate Democrats.

"I remember 1994, when I first got elected — it was tsunami year for us ," said Sen. Schmidt, who wasn't ready to concede. "We knew there was potential for that to happen to us this year. We're losing everywhere."

Link.

[flamingyouth]

1. Great news, and thanks for posting!

:thumbsup: