State Senate

Consists of 49 legislators statewide who work to pass or abolish laws, set tax rates and develop spending plans. Terms are staggered so that half of the Senate is up for election every other year.

Term: Four years.

Annual pay: $35,254.

District 6

Covers: West Spokane.

For the third time in four years, residents in an urban stretch of west Spokane are at the epicenter of an expensive race for this Senate seat.

Republican Brad Benson, who won the seat in 2004 after incumbent Jim West stepped down to become Spokane’s mayor, now faces Democratic challenger Chris Marr, a former automobile dealer, Washington State University regent and Chamber of Commerce executive.

Both are talking about effective representation in Olympia. Benson, a former small business owner and banker who served four terms in the House before winning the Senate seat, says he wants to continue his work to get the Legislature to bring good jobs to Spokane by creating “a job friendly environment.” He also wants it to hold down spending.

Marr says the Spokane economy continues to lag because Benson and other Republicans have voted against spending programs. With Democrats in control of the Senate, and state Sen. Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, serving as majority leader, the community needs another member of the majority party to get a bigger share of state programs.

Other Democrats have made similar arguments, without success, in a district that hasn’t elected a Democrat since Franklin Roosevelt’s second term.

In 2002 it was the scene of the most expensive legislative race in state history, between West and Democrat Laurie Dolan. That record could fall this year, with Marr already raising more than $316,000 and Benson more than $150,000 with just over a month left in the campaign.

Brad Benson, 47, of Spokane: Says he wants to continue his record of responsible representation for Spokane, looking for ways to improve the economy while holding down state spending.

Chris Marr, 52, of Spokane: Says he can deliver greater state spending to Eastern Washington.

District 7

Covers: Most of rural northeastern Washington.

In the sprawling 7th Legislative District, 12-year legislative veteran Bob Morton, R-Kettle Falls, faces a challenge from retired bus driver and orchardist Chris Zaferes, a Democrat.

Zaferes is a New York City native who retired to Tonasket 13 years ago. A Red Cross volunteer and reserve deputy sheriff, he said he’s running because he feels he’d be better at responding to the needs of the district’s struggling rural areas.

Morton, whose career path has included work as a bush pilot, as a minister and running mortuaries, ran uncontested in 1998 and 2002. His key issues are limiting taxes and government regulation, educational standards and balancing environmental needs with resource management. Morton’s biggest legislative victory in years came last spring, when he and Seattle lawmakers joined forces to pass a plan for massive new water storage projects along the Columbia River in the coming years.

Republican Bob Morton, 72, Kettle Falls: Promises to limit taxes and government regulation.

Democrat Chris Zaferes, 66, Tonasket: Promises greater state assistance for rural residents.