Election Day Results 2010

Election Day Results:

-As of this writing Patty Murray is ahead in the race for the senate seat with 50.84% with Dino Rossi at 49.16%. Originally the race was much closer, but a surge of democratic votes from Kind County gave Murray an extra push (Seattle Times). Even though many counties in the east and south support Rossi, most counties around Puget Sound (where the highest population is) support Murray (The Everett Herald). Murray has an around 27,000 vote lead on Rossi (The Everett Herald). About 40 % of the votes remain uncounted (The Everett Herald).

-Voters rejected Initiatives 1098 (income tax increase for the wealthy), 1100 (deregulation of liquor sales), and 1105 (privatizing liquor sales). They also voted yes on Initiative 1107, which will end the candy tax (Seattle Times).

-As of this writing Representative Rick Larsen has a slim lead over challenger John Koster, but it is too close to call yet (Seattle Times).

-According to the Everett Herald, the GOP is about to gain 4 seats in the state senate with 3 more being closely watched. They might end up gaining control of the state senate.

-Nationwide, the Republicans have gained 60 seats in the House of Representatives, giving them a majority, but 11 are still undecided (The New York Times). Nationwide the Republicans have also gained 6 seats in the Senate, thought the Democrats still have a majority with 52 seats. Two are still undecided (The New York Times).

Comments on the campaigns:
Both Rossi's and Murray's campaigns seemed to put a lot of focus on the economy. The only social issue that popped up was "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", but that never seemed to play into either campaigns very much. Much of it seemed to be touching on voters anger about the current economic recession, and how we have not yet emerged from it. It was a very heated campaign between the two candidates, probably one of the most heated senate races this state has seen in a while, especially because the Democrats are in such a precarious position right now.

-Noel Hansen and Talan Gunnell.

The Campaign for Senate is coming to a close

New developments in the Patty Murray campaign over the weekend:

-Murray spoke to a crowd of 200 Sunday in Vancouver. She told those attending to get out to vote, and talked about her efforts to reform Wall Street, her support of veterans affairs, her work to reform the student loan program, and about making smart investments (The Columbian).

Update in the Polls:

-A Fox news/POR-Rasmussen poll shows Patty Murray leading with 48%, with Dino Rossi behind at 47% (thenewsoftoday.com).

-A “Public Policy Polling” poll shows Dino Rossi leading with 50%, with Murray behind with 48% (thenewsoftoday.com).

-Among those who have already sent in their votes, Rossi leads with 52%, with Murray at 47%. Among those who have not sent in their ballots yet, Murray leads with 51% with Rossi behind at 46% (National Review Online).

New developments in the Dino Rossi campaign over the weekend:

Rossi’s new ad came out reiterating his campaign points.  “America is in trouble.  The bailouts and the stimulus haven’t worked, and our debt is out of control.  Creating jobs, cutting waste, reducing debt, and protecting our most vulnerable – now those are my priorities.” (The Seattle Times)

Rossi headed to Eastern Washington for weekend rallies.  He will be in King County, where a third of Washington’s voters live, Monday night for a final rally, hoping to win back the republican seat in the Senate. (The Everett Herald)

A new mailer was sent to Washington voters by a gun-rights group on behalf of Republican candidate Dino Rossi urging a vote for him.  The Safari Club International PAC spent $67,633 on Rossi’s behalf. (The Seattle Times)

Campaign Spending Update:

This week: Another $5.5 million was spent by independent groups on election ads.

Rossi: Benefited from nearly $11 million in individual ads for him or against Murray.

Murray: Benefited from $8 million in outside spending. (The Everett Herald)

-Talan Gunnell and Noel Hansen