While 2010 is not a presidential election year, in one sense your vote actually matters more this year. You may not be deciding the leader of the free world (just the folks who decide on his budget), but remarkably few voters bother to show up in these mid-term congressional elections, making the votes of those that do carry that much more weight. So do yourself, your state, and your country a favor—-vote and have your voice heard this year.
In a state with mail-in voting, it's really about as easy it possibly can be.
Below are some of the competitive races and major ballot initiatives:
United States Senator
Democrat: Patty Murray (incumbent)
Republican: Dino Rossi
Sen. Patty Murray has been representing Washington state in the other Washington for three terms (eighteen years) now. No longer the plucky mom in tennis shoes, Murray is #4 in the Democratic Senate power structure and has been bringing home serious bacon to the state for years. Dino Rossi argues that Patty Murray is more beholden to party interests than those of her state. Though he has lost two state-wide elections in a row (both for governor), Rossi and the Republicans hope that 2010 is their year.
United States House Rep (Dist. 1: Redmond, Lynnwood)
Democrat: Jay Inslee (incumbent)
Republican: James Watkins
In a normal year, a well-liked Democratic incumbent in a left-leaning seat would not be in trouble. But 2010 is no normal year and Jay Inslee, who was not long ago entertaining dreams of running for governor in 2012, is fighting for his life.
Republican James Watkins would not seem to be a particularly threatening candidate in most years, but his experience at the FDIC and as a business consultant boosts his economic credentials in a year when most voters care are focused on pocketbook issues.
United States House Rep (Dist. 3: Olympia, Vancouver)
Democrat: Denny Heck
Republican: Jamie Herrera
In this open race for the seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Brian Baird (D), two southwest Washington political heavy-weights have thrown their hats into the ring. Jamie Herrera is a rising star among Washington Republicans and proof that the party is more than just old white guys. Her opponent is cagey veteran Denny Heck, the former majority leader of the state house. The Third District is heavily working class and wracked with some of the highest unemployment in the state. Expect this hard-fought race to go down to the wire.
United States House Rep (Dist. 8: Bellevue)
Democrat: Susan DelBene
Republican: Dave Reichert (incumbent)
The Eighth District has the distinction of being the most liberal district in the country currently represented by a Republican. The resilient Jennifer Dunn who held the seat for years was succeeded by popular sheriff Dave Reichert, resulting in decades of Republican representation in a district that voted for Barack Obama in 2008 by a wide margin. Naturally Democrats have repeatedly targeted the district only to be frustrated by poor candidates. Their latest champion is Microsoft vet Susan DelBene, but concerns about her experience and gaps in voting history make this another long shot for the Democrats.
State Initiative 1053
Wracked with revenue shortfalls, the state legislature was relieved to be able to overturn the previous initiative-imposed 2/3 restriction on tax increases earlier this year. Anti-tax initiative maven Tim Eyman naturally returned to the ballot this year with an initiative that would restore the restriction. Supporters say that tax increases should require an overwhelming majority of the legislature. Opponents point to the disastrous financial state of California to show that such a requirement leads to crippling deadlock and failure of many essential state services. It will be a test for just how fiscally conservative Washington state voters really are.
In a state with mail-in voting, it's really about as easy it possibly can be.
Below are some of the competitive races and major ballot initiatives:
United States Senator
Democrat: Patty Murray (incumbent)
Republican: Dino Rossi
Sen. Patty Murray has been representing Washington state in the other Washington for three terms (eighteen years) now. No longer the plucky mom in tennis shoes, Murray is #4 in the Democratic Senate power structure and has been bringing home serious bacon to the state for years. Dino Rossi argues that Patty Murray is more beholden to party interests than those of her state. Though he has lost two state-wide elections in a row (both for governor), Rossi and the Republicans hope that 2010 is their year.
United States House Rep (Dist. 1: Redmond, Lynnwood)
Democrat: Jay Inslee (incumbent)
Republican: James Watkins
In a normal year, a well-liked Democratic incumbent in a left-leaning seat would not be in trouble. But 2010 is no normal year and Jay Inslee, who was not long ago entertaining dreams of running for governor in 2012, is fighting for his life.
Republican James Watkins would not seem to be a particularly threatening candidate in most years, but his experience at the FDIC and as a business consultant boosts his economic credentials in a year when most voters care are focused on pocketbook issues.
United States House Rep (Dist. 3: Olympia, Vancouver)
Democrat: Denny Heck
Republican: Jamie Herrera
In this open race for the seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Brian Baird (D), two southwest Washington political heavy-weights have thrown their hats into the ring. Jamie Herrera is a rising star among Washington Republicans and proof that the party is more than just old white guys. Her opponent is cagey veteran Denny Heck, the former majority leader of the state house. The Third District is heavily working class and wracked with some of the highest unemployment in the state. Expect this hard-fought race to go down to the wire.
United States House Rep (Dist. 8: Bellevue)
Democrat: Susan DelBene
Republican: Dave Reichert (incumbent)
The Eighth District has the distinction of being the most liberal district in the country currently represented by a Republican. The resilient Jennifer Dunn who held the seat for years was succeeded by popular sheriff Dave Reichert, resulting in decades of Republican representation in a district that voted for Barack Obama in 2008 by a wide margin. Naturally Democrats have repeatedly targeted the district only to be frustrated by poor candidates. Their latest champion is Microsoft vet Susan DelBene, but concerns about her experience and gaps in voting history make this another long shot for the Democrats.
State Initiative 1053
Wracked with revenue shortfalls, the state legislature was relieved to be able to overturn the previous initiative-imposed 2/3 restriction on tax increases earlier this year. Anti-tax initiative maven Tim Eyman naturally returned to the ballot this year with an initiative that would restore the restriction. Supporters say that tax increases should require an overwhelming majority of the legislature. Opponents point to the disastrous financial state of California to show that such a requirement leads to crippling deadlock and failure of many essential state services. It will be a test for just how fiscally conservative Washington state voters really are.