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.