Last Presidential Election:

Governor:
Christine Gregoire

Term:
Four years coincident with presidential elections.

Democrats in Congress:
Senior Sen. Patty Murray, easily defeated challenger Rep. George Nethercutt in 2004.

Junior Sen. Maria Cantwell faces re-election in 2006 after her first term. Here's how to help her. This is a blue state -- and a green one -- but Cantwell faces tough opposition from GOP frontrunner Michael McGavick, CEO of Safeco Insurance. Cantwell is very strong on environmental credentials, but she has a Kerry-esque position on Iraq, and with Seattle and the I-5 corridor being such a bastion of anti-war sentiment, that's a problem. She could stand a tweak on her Iraq position.

In the Seattle Times May 12 a firestorm erupted in letters to the editor about Cantwell's position on Iraq. Two liberal Democratic candidates have emerged to challenge her in the primary and several liberal letter writers have vowed not to vote for her because of her position on Iraq. That's a mistake. By taking that position they are only helping to strengthen the bloody handed Republicans. One liberal said she is tired of choosing "the lesser of two evils." Grow up.

Rep. Jim McDermott, Seattle, could get elected from jail, and if he isn't more careful, he might just have to try.

Most Vulnerable Republican:
Either Rep. Dave Reichert, vulnerable from the right in his own party or Rep. Kathy McMorris in the 5th for being fabulously clueless.

5th District House: Good chance to regain Tom Foley's old seat. First term rural eastern Washington Republican Rep. Cathy McMorris clobbered Spokane businessman Don Barbieri 60-40 in 2004, running amidst the yellow ribbons as a farm girl loyal to George Bush and happy with the Iraq war. She proved to be loyal to Bush all right and is still quite happy with the war. Her first term was otherwise undistinguished. She is vulnerable and apparently clueless, opening her re-election campaign with the slogan "America is on the Right Track!" Hoo boy. If that doesn't whet your whistle, get this: The other day a heavy hitter Democrat announced his candidacy. Peter Goldmark, an Okanogan County rancher (7,000 acres -- beef & wheat for export), scientist and founder of a bioresearch laboratory. "I would like to be part of a new future, where agricultural communities can prosper and be successful," said Goldmark. "We need policies that strengthen our rural communities instead of continuing to weaken them." More to come.

State Organization:

Volunteer Contact: