Very few legislative seats are up for election in this off-year, but there's tremendous interest in two Eastern Washington spots in the House of Representatives.

Four people have so far filed documents with the state's Public Disclosure Commission to run for 9th District Rep. Steve Hailey's old seat representing the Palouse region. Retired Rep. Don Cox was pressed into service as an appointee this year after Hailey died of cancer, but Cox has so far not filed paperwork to run for re-election this fall.

Who has? Hailey's widow, Pat Hailey; Schweitzer Engineering's Susan Fagan, who scored an early coup getting AG Rob McKenna's endorsement; WSU's Darin Watkins (described as "Extremely charismatic. Looks and sounds like a politician" by Palousitics two years ago when he applied to replace departing state Rep. David Buri), and Lamont's Arthur Swannack, who has been the president of the Washington State Sheep Producers. All are Republicans.

Just to the southeast, no fewer than 5 people are running for late Rep. Bill Grant's seat, now help by an appointee: his daughter, Rep. Laura Grant-Herriot. Grant-Herriot, running as Laura Grant, recently filed for re-election. She's the lone Democrat in the race so far.

Also in the running for that 16th district seat: Lawyer/former prosecutor Terry Nealey, Paco city councilman Matt Watkins, and Walla Walla's Kevin Allen Young, who works as a manager for the state Department of Transportation. Walla Walla County Commissioner Greg Tompkins had filed to run for the seat, but got out of the race recently, citing a family member's health. "I can't be in two places at the same time, and right now I am needed by my family more than ever," he said.

Lastly, Rep. David Taylor, R-Moxee, is so far running for re-election unopposed.

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