Republican state Sen. Don Benton announced Saturday evening that he’s planning a run against Democrat U.S. Senator Patty Murray.

Benton made his announcement at the Clark County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner at the Hilton Vancouver Washington before hundreds of attendees. He said he’s been considering entering the race for weeks and made up his mind earlier this week.

“I’m running because we need a senator who will represent all the people of the state of Washington and not just the government,” Benton said.

He criticized Murray’s approach to tackling Washington’s economic downturn, saying he planned on finding a better solution to the struggling job market.

“I have a reputation for fighting for the people,” he said. “It’s time to take that common sense and conservative approach to Washington, D.C.”

To prepare for his campaign, Benton said, he has hired the consulting team who helped Massachusetts State Senator Scott Brown win a U.S. Senate race last month.

He also hailed his history of strong campaign fundraising, saying he planned to bring that to the table, as well.

The Republican primary for the U.S. Senate in September has drawn six other candidates.

Benton is currently serving his fourth term as a state senator in the 17th District.

He also is the founder and CEO of the Vancouver-based Benton Group, a sales and management consulting firm.

Murray is serving her third six-year term. She sits on the powerful Appropriations Committee, as well as on the Veterans’ Affairs, Health, Budget and Rules committees.

This wouldn’t be Benton’s first attempts at higher office. In 1998, he unsuccessfully ran against Brian Baird for the 3rd Congressional District.

Laura McVicker: 360-735-4516 or laura.mcvicker@columbian.com.

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