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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • Tim Eyman loses this time around, but is unlikely to go away 11/5/09 • McGinn’s lead shrinks in Seattle mayor race 11/5/09 • Three County Council incumbents retain lead 11/5/09 • Library tax holds slim approval 11/5/09 • Marysville council candidate arrested after hit-and-run 11/5/09 • Gay rights measure’s slim lead holds 11/5/09 » More ELECTIONRESULTS2009 stories >   CONTACT THE HERALD Do you have a news tip? newstips@heraldnet.com | 425.339.3400   Published: Thursday, November 5, 2009 GOP beats only rural Eastern Washington Democrat legislator Associated Press OLYMPIA — The Legislature’s minority Republicans scored a key moral victory Tuesday with a lopsided defeat of the only statehouse Democrat from largely conservative rural Eastern Washington. Republican challenger Terry Nealey was easily outpolling Rep. Laura Grant, D-Walla Walla, in the race for the 16th Legislative District, which includes the cities of Pasco and Walla Walla. Nealey’s margin stood at about 58 percent to 42 percent on Tuesday night, with about 60 percent of the expected vote counted in unofficial returns. Nealey, a former Columbia County prosecutor, said his victory showed that voters in the district were ready for a change after 22 years of having a Democrat occupy one of their House seats. Nealey said his campaign focused primarily on the state’s looming budget shortfall, and he credited voter frustration with state and national government finances as a major boost. “People were both concerned and upset about those issues, and people felt they needed to elect a conservative Republican that would represent their interests,” he said. “And I was the right guy at the right time.” Grant was running to complete the term of her late father, Bill Grant, who died earlier this year. Laura Grant was appointed to the seat by county officials, but had to run in Tuesday’s special election to keep the job. Nealey will now finish out the remainder of the term, and must run for re-election next fall. Grant and Democratic campaign officials did not immediately return messages seeking comment Tuesday night. Republicans also will retain Eastern Washington House seats in two other special elections held Tuesday. The first of those contests was in the 9th District, which includes Pullman and Cheney. Both candidates in the 9th were Republican, a wrinkle allowed by the state’s “Top Two” primary, which advances the top vote getters regardless of party. Susan Fagan was leading that contest Tuesday night, holding about 55 percent of the vote. READER COMMENTS Log in or register to post new comment | Log out 2010 is coming Most candidates for 2009 had stood up before the tea parties and protests. Many more are standing up for 2010. The momentum is building for conservative candidates. For example, running against Senator Patty Murray are 4, possibly 6 conservatives, many were motivated by this year's conservative movement: Dr. Sean Salazar (Chiropractor & military vet) www.sean4senate.com Craig L. Williams (nuclear engineer and energy expert) www.votewilliams2010.com Wayne Glover (truck driver) www.realchange2010.org Rod Rieger (electrician) www.rodrieger.com Exploratory Committee Clint Didier (former NFL player, small business owner) http://www.clintd idier.org Chris Widener (Professional speaker) http://www.chriswidener.org This isn't a cooling off period, its a transition to action. You'll see the results in 2010. Randy Dutton | Nov 5, 2009 11:07 am | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal

1. Marysville man faces child pornography and rape charges 2. Mukilteo teacher a finalist in national country music contest 3. Truck crash near Marysville ties up northbound I-5 traffic 4. Marysville man arrested as rapes of three kids investigated 5. Laid-off Boeing workers could qualify for more benefits 6. When taggers strike in Everett, city picks up the cleanup bill 7. Silvertips rally late, beat Spokane in OT 8. Kids talk turkey: What Thanksgiving is all about 9. One last chance for two Jackson High School players 10. Don't try this at home with your turkey 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

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