State Rep. Don Cox, the Colfax Republican who came back to the Legislature to fill the vacancy created when Steve Hailey died of cancer last year, won't run in the special election this fall.

The state House Republican Caucus announced this afternoon that Cox says he can't make the long-term commitment to the job and is happy to bow out after temporary duty. He called the late session one of the toughest in recent memory.

Southeast Washington's 9th District won't lack for candidates, even with Cox's decision. It currently has four announced candidates: Susan Fagan, Patricia Hailey, Arthur Swannack and Darin Watkins, all Republicans.

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