Joe Zarelli

U.S. Rep. Brian Baird (D-Vancouver): Getty Images PhotoDENVER -Taking a moment to switch gears from the hoopla of the national convention to the nuts and bolts of state politics, Rep. Brian Baird (D-Vancouver) predicted that Southwest Washington would pick up a few seats for Democrats in the state House and Senate this November.

"I think we have a real shot at picking up a seat in the 17th," Baird said. "I think Tim Probst is going to win that seat. I think we have a great shot in the 18th. I like our candidate there VaNessa Duplessie, running against [Rep. Jaime] Herrera who has never been elected herself, really has hardly been in the district the last ten years. Vanessa is hard working, sharp, articulate, a real go getter."

Baird was also pleasantly surprised to see David Carrier running relatively close to Sen. Don Benton in the 17th District, and Jon Haugen within ten points of Sen. Joe Zarelli in LD 18.

Rep. Jaime HerreraIn a district that was darkened by scandal in 2007, things are looking up this fall with a race full of rising stars. Southwest Washington's 18th Legislative District, which runs from the Vancouver suburbs of Ridgefield, Battle Ground and Camas north to the Lewis County line, features Rep. Jaime Herrera (R-Battle Ground) looking to win her first election against LaCenter Democrat VaNessa Duplessie.

Both candidates are relatively young with impressive backgrounds and bright futures in their respective parties according to local insiders.

As State Republican Party Chair Luke Esser noted in his press release yesterday accusing Gov. Chris Gregoire of being in denial on the negative aspects of the state's economy, a new revenue forecast is being released this morning by the Revenue Forecast Council. The Council, chaired by Rep. Jim McIntire (D-Seattle) and led on the Republican side by Sen. Joe Zarelli (R-Ridgefield), will release the forecast and discuss it this morning.

The budget and revenue forecasts have played a prominent role in the gubernatorial campaign, notably in Dino Rossi's campaign. 

Chris Mulick at the Tri-City Herald will be live blogging the event. Be sure to check back for more later.

On Tuesday the Spokesman-Review's Rich Roesler compiled a list of the top state senators in terms of cash on hand in their campaigns, whether they are running this year or in 2010.

Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown (D-Spokane) leads the way with $131,104 followed by Sen. Margarita Prentice (D-Renton), which makes sense considering their power and the DemocraticSen. Lisa Brown (D-Spokane) lean of the state, but following those two are five Republicans. Vancouver's Don Benton has $107,842 and Minority Leader Mike Hewitt (R-Walla Walla) has $102,199, while Joe Zarelli (R-Ridgefield), Mark Schoesler (R-Ritzville) and Bob Morton (R-Kettle Falls) aren't far behind.

So while the leadership caucus may not be terribly successful, as came to light during the Pam Roach controversy earlier this year, Republican State Senators are performing relatively well.

In Southwestern Washington's 18th District, there is a new challenger to Sen. Joe Zarelli (R-Ridgefield). But not to come in quietly, Jon Haugen (D-Felida) is making waves from the start. "I'm embarrassed to have him as my state senator," Haugen told The Columbian. In the article he cited a drug offense from the early 1980s and two counts of misrepresenting income on Zarellis' taxes.