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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Olympia

Nearly one in six state lawmakers unopposed…

Barring effective write-in challenges, lots of state lawmakers are getting a free ride to re-election this year.

Two dozen state lawmakers, including local Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville and Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, are running without even a token opponent on the ballot.

Among them:
-Rep. Al O'Brien, D-Seattle,
-Rep. Cary Condotta, R-E. Wenatchee,
-Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum,
-Sen. Minority Leader Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla,
-Rep. Brendan Williams, D-Olympia,
-Rep. Eileen Cody, D-Seattle,
-Rep. Sharon Santos, D-Seattle,
-Rep. Dave Quall, D-Mount Vernon,
-and Rep. Judy Clibborn, D-Mercer Island.

The list is much, much longer for the judicial branch of government, where lawyers tend to be understandably reluctant to challenge sitting judges for office.



Short takes and breaking news from the Washington Legislature and the state capital.