SEATTLE — In early election results, Republicans are leading key races that will help decide control of the state Senate.
After two Democrats defected to form a coalition that gave Republicans control of the Senate, liberals were hoping to mount enough challenges to gain control of the chamber outright.
But so far Democrats trailed in the handful of competitive races they needed to win.
Democrats appear to be failing to keep the 30th District seat, which was vacated by the retirement of veteran lawmaker Tracey Eide. Democrat-turned-Republican Mark Miloscia was leading Democrat Shari Song in early results. Defeat in the district, which covers parts of south King County and north Pierce County, would represent a net loss for Democrats.
In the 35th District, incumbent Sen. Tim Sheldon, who was one of the two Democrats who formed the coalition with Republicans, was fending off a challenge from Democrat Irene Bowling by leading with 55 percent of the vote. In the Legislature, he’s long voted with Republicans, but he barely survived a primary challenge from a Democrat and a Republican.
Before Tuesday, the state Senate was split 26-23, technically with the majority being Democrats. The Democrat defection gave the Republican-controlled coalition a 25-24 majority.
If Tuesday’s early results stand, the split would be 25-24, with the Democrats again technically in the majority, but that counts Sheldon, who will join the Republicans again. The Republicans appear to have been unable to gain full control of the chamber.
“It seems like the odds favor a Republican take-over,” said Travis Ridout, a Washington State University political science professor before the election. “I suspect turnout is going to be fairly low. There’s no real state-wide race on the ballot. No governor’s or Senate race to drive turnout. The stalwart voters will vote and Republicans tend to be better stalwart voters.”
Democrats had mounted spirited and expensive challenges in a few other districts.
In the 45th District, which covers the suburbs of northwest King County, incumbent Republican Sen. Andy Hill was leading Democrat challenger Matt Isenhower. Hill had fundraised nearly $1 million and Isenhower cashed in more than $475,000, making their race the most expensive legislative contest ever.
In all, the combined amount raised by all of the legislative races exceeded $25 million.
Meanwhile, a candidate who died days before the election is winning his race. Democrat Roger Freeman died Wednesday after battling cancer. On Tuesday, he was leading over Republican challenger Jack Dovey.
