Democrats are ahead in key legislative races

An expensive effort by Democrats to increase their majority in the state Senate appears to have paid off Tuesday.

In early returns, the party's candidates were leading in several key races in the Eastside and central Puget Sound.

"It looks like we're picking up seats," said Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane. Brown said it appeared her party could pick up three seats. The three seats would give Democrats the largest majority they've had in the Senate in at least 20 years.

Senate Republican Leader Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla, agreed things aren't looking good for his party. He had argued a large majority in the Senate would give Democrats free rein to increase spending.

In the Eastside's District 45, Republican Rep. Toby Nixon, R-Kirkland, was trailing Democrat Eric Oemig, a former Microsoft engineer. They're battling to replace Sen. Bill Finkbeiner, who retired.

And next door in District 48, incumbent Sen. Luke Esser, R-Bellevue, was trailing Rep. Rodney Tom, D-Medina. "It looks like it's a rugged night to be a Republican, and we're just going to have to hope that late returns lean our way," Esser said.

Tom is a former Republican House member who switched parties earlier this year.

The race was closely matched in terms of money, with Esser holding a slight edge. Combined, the candidates raised more than $700,000, making it one of the most expensive races in the state.

In the South Sound, Democratic Rep. Derek Kilmer led Republican Jim Hines, both of Gig Harbor, in the District 26 race. Kilmer raised more than $470,000, more than three-times as much as Hines. They were vying to replace Sen. Bob Oke, R-Port Orchard, who did not run again.

"It's not over yet," said Republican Sen. Dave Schmidt, R-Mill Creek, who was trailing his Democratic opponent in District 44. "I've been around this stuff for 25 years ... Republicans always vote late when they vote by mail."

Democrats and their supporters have poured millions of dollars into the state Senate races this election in an effort to increase their majority. They targeted several seats held by Republican senators, many of whom were not seeking re-election.

Democrats now hold a narrow 26-23 majority in the Senate, with a conservative member, Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlach, who often sides with Republicans. They have a larger majority in the House.

Having a bigger Senate majority would let Democrats press for additional funding for public education and health care, said Brown, the Senate majority leader.

Brown also would push to send a constitutional amendment to the ballot that would allow school levies to be approved by a simple majority of voters instead of a 60 percent supermajority.

House races of interest:

District 41 (Eastside): In Position 1, Republican Rep. Fred Jarrett of Mercer island remained comfortably ahead of Democrat Dale Murphy, a first-time candidate from Mercer Island.

For Position 2, Rep. Judy Clibborn, D-Mercer Island, was leading by a wide margin over Republican Erik Fretheim of Bellevue, also a first-time candidate.

District 45 (Eastside): For Position 1, Republican Jeffrey Possinger of Duvall lagged behind Democrat Roger Goodman of Kirkland. The winner replaces Rep. Nixon, who is running for the state Senate.

For Position 2, incumbent Democrat Larry Springer held a substantial lead over Republican Tim Lee, a political newcomer.

District 48 (Eastside): For Position 1, incumbent Democrat Ross Hunter was leading Republican Nancy Potts by a wide margin. Potts did not actively campaign for the seat.

For Position 2, Former Kirkland Mayor Deb Eddy was leading Republican Bret Olson. The winner replaces Rep. Tom, who left his seat to run for Senate.

District 23 (Kitsap County, seat 2): Republican Rep. Beverly Woods, of Poulsbo, was trailing Democrat Christine Rolfes, of Bainbridge Island.

District 23 (Kitsap County, seat 1): Democratic Rep. Sherry Appleton, of Poulsbo, was leading Republican Earl Johnson, of Bainbridge Island.

District 38 (Snohomish County): Democratic Rep. John McCoy, of Tulalip, was leading Republican Kim Halvorson, of Tulalip.

District 45 (Eastside): For Position 1, Republican Jeffrey Possinger, of Duvall, was trailing Democrat Roger Goodman, of Kirkland. The winner replaces Toby Nixon, who is running for the state Senate.

For Position 2, incumbent Democrat Larry Springer held a substantial lead over Republican Tim Lee, a political newcomer.

Other Senate races:

District 31 (South Sound): Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, elected in 1990, was in a tight race with Auburn attorney Yvonne Ward, a Democrat.

District 44 (Snohomish County): Republican Sen. Dave Schmidt, of Mill Creek, was trailing Democrat Steve Hobbs, of Lake Stevens. Schmidt raised more money than Hobbs and picked up several key endorsements. However, Hobbs benefited from more than $100,000 in independent expenditures from a political-action committee tied to Senate Democrats.