Race for state leadership

Washingtonians will select a new chief executive for the state Nov. 2, when they choose between Republican Dino Rossi and Democrat Christine Gregoire for governor.

The winner will replace Gov. Gary Locke in overseeing many state offices and vetoing or approving legislation.

Both candidates have emphasized the economy in their campaigns, along with other issues. Gregoire, the state’s attorney general, has run on her plan to create 250,000 new jobs in the state. Rossi, a real estate broker and former state senator, supports reducing regulations and making it easier to do business in Washington.

But where do the candidates stand on the key issues facing Washington residents in the near future? The Spokesman-Review posed the following questions to the candidates to find out.

For more information on candidates and races in this fall’s election, go to Election Central at www.spokesmanreview.com.