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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Youth forum evokes best in politicians

Seen the new attack ad on Chris Marr? I won’t repeat any of it, other than to note that it formally marked the moment when the local election season went from discouraging to scumbaggy. As it always does. This is the wearying season for people who follow politics. Things get stupider and meaner as they become more important. But on Thursday night – while Patty Murray and Dino Rossi slugged it out at KSPS – there was another event on the Spokane political calendar that offered a reminder of the other, sometimes invisible political world.

Most county ballots in the mail

Nearly all Spokane County ballots for the Nov. 2 general election had been mailed by Thursday.

Election supervisor Mike McLaughlin said approximately 260,000 ballots were mailed Wednesday and Thursday. Only a handful remained to been sent.

Baumgartner and Marr: Standardized tests

Washington state Sen. Chris Marr, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Michael Baumgartner discuss their positions on whether high school students should have to pass a standardized test to earn a diploma.

Economy the focus of Murray-Rossi debate

The first debate between U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and her Republican opponent Dino Rossi came down to who’s to blame for the current sluggish economy.

Man arrested for waving meat cleaver at Murray supporters

Police arrested a man around 5 p.m. Thursday outside KSPS studios after he drove by a group of Sen. Patty Murray supporters waving a meat cleaver. Johnny J. Sieler, 50, first drove by the group with a knife, shouting profanities about Murray. He upgraded his weapon to a meat cleaver and drove by a second time, according to Spokane police.

Senate debate: Candidates in, cleaver out

Senate debate: Candidates in, cleaver out

Group funding anti-Marr TV ad — Spokane Families for Change — not funded by Spokane families

Group funding anti-Marr TV ad — Spokane Families for Change — not funded by Spokane families

Ahern skips televised debates

Ahern skips televised debates

Live tonight from Spokane: Rossi v. Murray

Live tonight from Spokane: Rossi v. Murray

McMorris Rodgers turns down debates

For the first time in decades, there will be no debate or face-to-face forum for Eastern Washington’s 5th Congressional District race because the incumbent is refusing to participate. U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ campaign said Wednesday she will not be able to debate Democratic challenger Daryl Romeyn “due to scheduling constraints.”

Driscoll, Ahern outline differences

State Rep. John Driscoll and former state Rep. John Ahern are overshadowed in their election rematch by the intense battle for state Senate in the same district. Debates between Chris Marr and Michael Baumgartner, who are running for Senate in the 6th District, have been heated.

Marr and Baumgartner: Global warming

Washington state Sen. Chris Marr, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Michael Baumgartner answer the question, “Do you believe there is enough evidence to indicate that human activity likely is a significant cause for global warming?”

No debate in the 5th Congressional District

No debate in the 5th Congressional District

They’re in the mail. Honest.

They’re in the mail. Honest.

Strong voter turnout expected

OLYMPIA – About two out of three voters in Washington will cast ballots in this year’s general election, Secretary of State Sam Reed predicted Monday.

Baumgartner and Marr: Crime

Washington state Sen. Chris Marr, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Michael Baumgartner discuss their positions on the death penalty and Washington’s three-strikes law.

Ferris hosting next battle between Baumgartner and Marr

Ferris hosting next battle between Baumgartner and Marr

Biden making another trip for Murray

Biden making another trip for Murray

Dems to party, too, for debate

Dems to party, too, for debate

Rossi counting on anger with status quo, Murray

With all the shrill attack ads savaging Democrat Patty Murray as an incompetent spendthrift or Republican Dino Rossi as a slippery bagman, it’s pretty easy to forget the two candidates for Senate have some common traits. Both had hardscrabble beginnings, growing up in large Catholic families without much money. Murray’s father was a World War II vet left jobless by multiple sclerosis; she volunteered at a Veterans Administration hospital. Rossi’s parents were teachers; he waxed floors to work his way through college.