Glenn Anderson

Chris Mulick at the Tri City Herald reports that two of the state's legislative races have changed their complexion in recent days. In the 40th District, where seven candidates are vying for retiring Sen. Harriet Spanel's seat, now former Democrat Steve Hopley, the Commissioner of the Port of Anacortes, has changed his party affiliation from Democrat to independent leaving himself, five Democrats and one Republican to fill out the race.

Meanwhile, 5th District Democrat Jon Viebrock (D-Carnation) originally filed to challenge Rep. Glenn Anderson (R-Fall City) but has now decided to instead seek Rep. Jay Rodne's (R-North Bend) seat in position #1.

BELLEVUE - Surrounded by a slate of influential local Republicans like Rep. Doug Erickson, Rep. Glenn Anderson, Sen. Cheryl Pflug and King County Councilman Reagan Dunn, gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi unveiled his new transportation plan this morning at the Bellevue Red Lion.

The detailed plan, called "progressive" by the campaign, contains $15 billion worth of projects meant to improve congestion, fully fund ferries and smaller road projects, and even repair more than a thousand state-controlled culverts to improve salmon habitat in order to better serve today's commuters as well as the millions projected to move into the state in the next 20 years.