Bright Future Ahead For The Washington State GOP

2010 is shaping to be a victorious year for the Washington State GOP.  Half of the State Senate is up for re-election and this has the Democrats worried, particularly in the swing districts. Washington State was the only State that simultaneously elected Obama and saw a gain in Republicans in the State Legislature. Now, imagine this year!

Let’s start with Senator Chris Marr, 6^th District. He was elected 4 years ago with 55% of the vote. This year he is considered very vulnerable as he is being challenged by Michael Baumgartner. In 2008, Kevin Parker, Republican, unseated a House Democrat in that District.

The GOP has a good shot in the 26^th District. Marty McClendon is challenging Derek Kilmer. Derek Kilmer was elected in 2006 when he unseated then-Senator Robert Oke by only 343 votes. This is the year to take the seat back!

The 30^th District is another target. Tony Moore is challenging the Senator Tracey Eide. The 30^th District is led by 1 Republican and 1 Democrat in the House. If elected, Tony Moore will be the only Black Republican in the Washington State Legislature.

We will see a 2006 rematch this year in the 44^th District. Dave Schmidt is running to get his seat back, which he lost 4 years ago to current Senator Steve Hobbs. I was told that polls conducted the by the Senate Republican Committee show Dave Schmidt ahead of the incumbent Democrat, by a comfortable margin. Steve Hobbs has the lowest re-electable numbers of any incumbent Senator in state. Expect this seat to turn red this year!

Senator Eric Oemig is another who is considered very vulnerable this year. The 45^th District is one of those swing districts. Andy Hill, a Harvard Business School grad, is in for the seat.

Senator Claudia Kauffman, 47th District, is also in a very vulnerable situation.  She was elected in 2006 with 52% of the vote. This year she is being challenged by moderate Republican Joe Fain.

Luke Esser’s old Senate seat is up for re-election this year. Incumbent Rodney Tom is being challenged by Gregg Bennett, a moderate. Rodney Tom was elected in 2006 with 53% of the vote. According to the PDC, Gregg Bennett currently has a war chest of $150,000, while Sen. Rodney Tom has under $40,000. This looks like a clear indication of the dissatisfaction with the Democrats and their tax and spend agenda.

Supposing Republicans gain all these 7 seats and lose none, the Republicans will be the majority party in the Senate with the balance of power being 25-24. Yes we can! I encourage all to get involved in any way possible. Donate your time and money, even if the candidate is not running in your district. This is a fight for the future of our state and will affect us all.