Morning News Digest: Thursday, November 6, 2008

With the PolitickerWA.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Washington's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

Reichert and Burner locked in a tie

U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert and challenger Darcy Burner remained in a virtual tie Wednesday in the 8th Congressional District. (Emily Heffter, Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/8thcongressionaldistrict/2008357584_elex8thdistrict06m0.html

Burner camp feeling good about remaining mail-in vote

As Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Auburn) extends his slim lead on Darcy Burner (D-Carnation) in Washington’s 8th Congressional District race, Burner’s campaign remains positive. (PolitickerWA.com)

http://www.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2581/burner-camp-feeling-good-about-remaining-mail-vote

Gregoire's next big test: Balancing budget without raising taxes

On her way to re-election Tuesday, Gov. Christine Gregoire pledged not to increase taxes or fees to balance a state budget that's projected to have a $3.2 billion shortfall over the next two years. Given what's happening with the economy, that hole could easily get bigger. (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/governorsrace/2008357470_elexgovernor06m.html

Wednesday returns favor Republicans in state Senate

Although little changed among House prospects, a few thousand additional votes counted Wednesday made a difference in the state Senate landscape. (PolitickerWA.com)

http://www.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2585/wednesday-returns-favor-republicans-state-senate

Sound Transit hashing out details

Sound Transit has new authority to enlarge the regional transit system it's building. Now it has to deal with the nuts-and-bolts details. (Larry Lange, Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/386580_transit06.html

Clark County turns blue as Democrats gain favor

Here in Clark County, it’s a landslide. Bigger than George Bush’s. Bigger than Ronald Reagan’s. Bigger than Richard Nixon’s. It’s all but certain now: The last presidential candidate of either party to carry Clark County more decisively was Lyndon Johnson in 1964. (Michael Andersen, The Columbian)

http://www.columbian.com/article/20081105/NEWS02/711065027

Carlyle will be the 36th's newest legislator

SEATTLE -- Reuven Carlyle (D-Seattle) will be the next state representative from the 36th Legislative District, stepping into outgoing Rep. Helen Sommers' legendary seat in that district's position 1. (PolitickerWA.com)

http://www.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2584/carlyle-will-be-36ths-newest-legislator

Three states races still close

SEATTLE (AP) — The Washington state lands commissioner, schools chief and treasurer races remain too close to call. (Associated Press)

http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081106/NEWS03/711069976/1001

Bellingham voters now reject switch to at-large council term

BELLINGHAM - Results to change the term limit of the City Council's at-large position have flip-flopped in what is the tightest race in the area this election. (Jared Paben, The Bellingham Herald)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/652744.html

County commissioner races too close to call

KITTITAS COUNTY — Candidates seeking election to Kittitas County commissioner Districts 1 and 2 say Tuesday’s general election voting results are too close for anyone to declare victory at this point. (The Daily Record)

http://www.kvnews.com/articles/2008/11/05/news/doc4911eed7e638a370188226.txt

With the PolitickerWA.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Washington's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.