Election Center
Related Coverage, Page 15
WA Senate candidates mark 9/11
WA Senate candidates mark 9/11
Didier still not endorsing Rossi
Didier still not endorsing Rossi
Raising money on Sept. 11
Raising money on Sept. 11
Today’s fun video: Getting excited about politics. REALLY excited
Today’s fun video: Getting excited about politics. REALLY excited
Rossi’s earmark stance questioned
Republican Dino Rossi’s latest television commercial repeats an objection to certain types of federal spending known as earmarks that has become a hallmark of his campaign against incumbent U.S. Sen. Patty Murray. That seems odd, state Sen. Lisa Brown, a Spokane Democrat, argued Thursday. When Rossi oversaw the state’s budget as a member and eventually chairman of the state Senate Ways and Means Committee, it had the legislative equivalent of earmarks and he didn’t object.
Brown challenges Rossi on earmarks
Brown challenges Rossi on earmarks
GOP ad puts Minnick front and center
BOISE – Democratic U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick is featured in a new political ad, but it’s not from who you might expect. A new Republican National Committee Web video features Minnick touting his record of voting against legislation like health insurance reform – a key part of President Barack Obama’s and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s agenda.
What’s missing from this commercial?
What’s missing from this commercial?
Judge tosses limit on late campaign contributions
OLYMPIA – State officials are mulling their next steps after a federal judge overturned a state law limiting campaign contributions in the final weeks of ballot measure campaigns. If the ruling stands, money could flow even more freely to this year’s crop of voter initiatives. Six such measures are on the ballot – the second-most in state history – and state records show the campaigns have raised a combined $32.5 million, with about $10.1 million spent so far.
Idaho reminding voters of photo ID law
BOISE – The state is launching a campaign next month to remind Idaho voters that under a new law, they must provide photo identification to cast their ballots. Billboard advertisements and public service announcements are intended to decrease confusion during the November general election, said Deputy Secretary of State Tim Hurst.
Watch for yourself: State’s waiver on military ballots
Watch for yourself: State’s waiver on military ballots
Money pours into initiative campaigns
Money pours into initiative campaigns
The top donors to initiative campaigns (so far)
The top donors to initiative campaigns (so far)
Initiative campaigns attract $30 million in state
Soda pop sellers, liquor distributors and warehouse retailers are pouring millions of dollars into Washington to influence residents’ votes on a slew of statewide ballot measures. Some $30 million so far – the majority from out of state – has flooded the coffers of campaigns for or against an array of initiatives, a process in Washington that lets voters enact laws they feel their legislators won’t.
Spokane swing district again among state’s spendiest
A Spokane legislative district tops the state for money raised by candidates, and is near the top for spending that money before the August primary. The 6th Legislative District – which curves around central Spokane’s core from the Whitworth area to the South Hill – is often a pricey political battleground. Its last three state Senate races have been the three most expensive in state history, with the 2006 contest between Democrat Chris Marr and Republican incumbent Brad Benson at the top of the list. Nearly $818,000 was spent in that race for a seat that pays just over $42,000 per year.
Allred’s tax reform role attacked
BOISE – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keith Allred in 2006 played a major part in boosting a tax break for Idaho homeowners that’s reduced their annual payments, despite a Republican attack Thursday contending his role was minimal. House Speaker Lawerence Denney, R-Midvale, and Senate President Pro Tem Bob Geddes, R-Soda Springs, accused Allred of taking too much credit for efforts to reduce property taxes in 2006, a year when home prices were skyrocketing and many residents were up in arms.
GOP questions ballot security in letter to county auditor
Republican Party leaders expressed concerns this week about the security of ballots mailed during the August primary to the Spokane County elections office. County party Chairwoman Cindy Zapotocky wrote county Auditor Vicky Dalton that a Republican observer saw uncovered trays of ballots being picked up at the downtown post office by a courier service contracted with the county. Zapotocky alleges that the courier made other stops with the ballots in his truck before dropping off the ballots at the elections office.
Bozo tops Jesus in county treasurer’s race
Bozo tops Jesus in county treasurer’s race
Primary results: All over but the signing
Primary results: All over but the signing
French hangs on for general election
A final vote count in last month’s primary election, to be certified today, didn’t turn around any races or trigger an automatic recount. Republican county commissioner candidate Al French retained a narrow lead Tuesday over Republican Jeff Holy and will advance to the Nov. 2 general election. French will face incumbent Democrat Bonnie Mager.