GOP takes aim at rural Democrat

OLYMPIA – As they try to climb back from historically low numbers in the Statehouse, Republicans are targeting the Legislature’s only Democrat from rural Eastern Washington in the marquee legislative matchup on Tuesday’s ballot.

The contest pits freshman Rep. Laura Grant, D-Walla Walla, against GOP challenger Terry Nealey, a former Columbia County prosecutor. They are vying to represent the 16th Legislative District, which includes the cities of Pasco and Walla Walla. Grant was appointed to the seat early this year after the death of her father, Bill Grant, a key member of the Democrats’ leadership team.

Laura Grant, a fifth-grade teacher, echoes her father’s old campaign pitch: Rural voters need a moderate at the table with the Legislature’s Democratic majority.

Nealey, who claimed 46 percent of the vote against Bill Grant in the 2008 general election, says he’s willing and able to work with Democrats if elected.

Holding the seat is symbolically important to both parties. But it also has a practical purpose for the GOP, said Republican consultant Chris Vance.

“The Republicans will never have a majority in the House unless they have every seat in Eastern Washington other than downtown Spokane,” he said.