Washington News by Bryan Bissell

Seattle Times editorial columnist Bruce Ramsey has a piece up discussing the future of the Republican Party with four prominent Washington state political operatives and conservative intellectuals.

Pierce County Democrats may file a lawsuit to ensure that they have  a say in who is appointed to fill the outgoing auditor Pat McCarthy's (D-Tacoma) seat when she steps down to become county executive, the Tacoma News-Tribune is reporting.

Public Lands Commissioner-elect Peter Goldmark issued a statement today declaring the guidelines by which he planned to run his office throughout the next four years.

"There is a nexus where science, sustainability, and economic opportunity meet and that point is where the policies of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources need to be," said Goldmark. "We face a terrible national economy and a difficult state budget, but those challenges will provide opportunities for green jobs and renewable energy on our public lands."

The recount in the 44th Legislative District race between Mike Hope (R-Lake Stevens) and Rep. Liz Loomis (D-Snohomish) will begin tomorrow in Snohomish County.

Hope won the first count by 118 votes out of more than 68,000 votes cast over Loomis, who was appointed to the seat midway through the term when John Lovick stepped down upon being elected Snohomish County sheriff.