Selected election results: (Top two advance. WSLC-endorsed candidates in bold.)
  

Get the latest comprehensive state legislative results in all districts. 

Rebranding news:

►  At Washington State Wire -- Labor, activist attacks on Dems tearing party apart, says Kessler -- Lynn Kessler, the outgoing House majority leader, says labor leaders and activist groups are wreaking havoc on the Democratic party -- and she’s had it. She is taking charge of an independent fund-raising effort that aims to boost centrist Democrats. Two weeks ago, Kessler and her supporters filed papers with the Public Disclosure Commission to change the name of the so-called “Roadkill Political Action Committee” to the “Jackson Legacy Fund.” Kessler explains, “It’s harder to raise money for a PAC called ‘Roadkill’.”

►  In today's Olympian -- GOP licks chops after primary -- Republicans said their hopes for a major political comeback in the Legislature were boosted Tuesday as several incumbent Democrats failed to capture half the vote or were trailing their GOP challenger. Democrats say the GOP gained from turnout by tea-party candidates who will not have as big an effect in the general election, because Democrats will get out their voting base with support from labor.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Wait... is labor tearing the party apart, or is labor the party's GOTV program? Self-proclaimed "moderate Democrats" -- let's call them Chamber Democrats -- side with corporate interests like big banks and oil companies over working families, and then they whine that they are victimized for refusing to walk in lockstep with unions. Meanwhile, labor dares target its support only to legislators who support our interests, and we stand accused of being political bullies. WTF?

And while we're at it, where's all the media coverage of business interests in Washington targeting moderate Republicans like Rep. Tom Campbell of Roy for defeat, or sending out hit pieces against labor-supported Democrats so they can get more of their hand-picked Chamber Democrats elected?

Here's the first such story we've seen...

►  In today's Bellingham Herald -- 40th LD House race still too close to call -- Democrat Tom Pasma decried nearly $29,000 spent on late "anti-union" fliers and mailers by independent groups supporting fellow Democrat Kris Lytton. The business-funded Enterprise Washington (Liberty Mutual, Comcast, Weyerhaeuser, Pemco, Bank of America, etc.) and Stand for Children (No. 1 contributor: Connie Ballmer, homemaker) spent heavily attacking Pasma and promoting Lytton.

More election news:

►  In today's Seattle Times -- Rossi's claim on Murray spending misses mark -- Republican candidate Dino Rossi has claimed in speeches, interviews and on his website that Sen. Patty Murray has voted for every spending bill in Congress since 2004. Our verdict: Rossi's claim on its face is false. And as a yardstick for the discerning voter, it's unenlightening.

►  In today's Columbian -- Heck, Herrera come out swinging -- GOP: Heck will be a "rubber stamp for the Nancy Pelosi agenda of bloated government and more spending.” Democrats: Herrera opposes saving local jobs in favor of protecting tax cuts for firms that ship U.S. jobs overseas.

►  In today's (Everett) Herald -- Harper holds lead over Sen. Berkey in 38th LD -- Updated returns showed labor-endorsed Democratic challenger Nick Harper continuing to lead Sen. Jean Berkey and Rod Rieger, who appeared on the ballot as "prefers Conservative Party."

Local news:

►  In the News Tribune -- We can't look this educational gift horse in the mouth (op-ed by WSLC VP Sandra Schroeder of AFT-Washington) -- There is a crisis in education funding in this state at all levels. Basic education is protected, but nothing else. All non-protected sectors have suffered three waves of cuts in the last two years: at the end of the last biennium and two in this biennium. To quibble about the impact of federal funds is to look a gift horse in the mouth. If we continue as a society to encourage such short-sightedness we will become a nation of naysayers. That is not what our teachers, our schools or our students need.

►  In today's Seattle Times -- City employees urge mayor to cut senior-level positions -- A large group of employees confront Mayor Mike McGinn in his lobby to ask him to lay off senior-level employees instead of targeting the rank-and-file. The group delivered hundreds of postcards. "On your first day in office, you issued Executive Orders recognizing that the City is top heavy and relies too heavily on contracting out. With revenue shortfalls and a lack of follow through on your orders, employees are being laid off and City services are being jeopardized."

►  At Publicola -- City prosecutors seek to form union -- Twenty-five prosecuting attorneys -- the majority of the criminal division -- at the Seattle City Attorney's office seek union representation (independent association with James Cline), reportedly in anticipation of upcoming layoffs.

►  In today's Yakima H-R -- County likely to request wage freeze from employees -- Yakima County elected officials will not receive pay raises next year, a stance that may be extended to non-union employees. Commissioners are signaling they would like unionized workers to consider doing without pay hikes when bargaining begins later this year.

►  In today's (Everett) Herald -- Everett firefighters file claim for asbestos exposure -- Firefighters exposed to asbestos during training three years ago are moving toward a lawsuit against the city. Dozens of Everett firefighters and their spouses last month filed claims with the city seeking a total of $9 million. Such a move is often the last step before bringing a lawsuit.

►  At SeattlePI.com -- Locke: Oregon a better deal for NOAA than Seattle -- The ex-governor says Oregon's financial incentives were too good to pass up. (Yes, but were they "extraordinary"?)

National news:

►  From AP -- Jobless claims rise to highest level in 9 months -- Homebuilders and construction firms lay off more workers as the sector slumps after the expiration of a popular homebuyers' tax credit. State and local governments are also cutting jobs. (More evidence of the damage being done by politicians who have chosen to prioritize deficit reduction over job creation.)

►  In today's NY Times -- Leery of Washington D.C., Alaska feasts on its dollars -- Although its unemployment rate sits at just 7.9%, about two percentage points below the national rate, Alaska has received $3,145 per capita in federal stimulus dollars, the most in the nation. Nevada, by contrast, has an unemployment rate north of 14% and has received $1,034 per capita in recovery aid. Florida’s jobless rate is 11.4% and it has gotten $914 per capita.