Marko Liias

SEATTLE - Electoral prospects look strong in Snohomish County for Gov. Chris Gregoire according to state Rep. Marko Liias (D-Mukilteo), who told PolitickerWA.com at the Al Gore fundraiser that her track record on issues in the battleground county would propel her to victory there in the fall.

"She is doing really well in Snohomish Country," said Liias, who represents the 21st Legislative District. "She has invested in the aerospace jobs that are keeping our economy afloat right now. She invested in health care for our kids, invested in our schools. People in Snohomish County see that."

In 2004 Dino Rossi won Snohomish County by 6484 votes, or about 2.2 percent, but Gregoire beat him there in this year's "top two" primary by a 1.8 percent margin.

This spring has seen the candidacies emerge from two notable GOP State Rep. challengers. Not for their fundraising prowess or some lingering scandal, but they do have something that many politicians deep down wish they had, youth.

21st District Republican Andrew Funk is challenging incumbent Rep. Marko Liias (D-Mukilteo). He is also 18 years old and a student at Edmonds Community College.Andrew Funk (R-Mountlake Terrace)

"I am going at this to win. I wanted the opportunity to run for new leadership and somebody with conservative views," Funk told the Everett Herald.

About an hour south of there in the 25th, 22 year old Caleb Heimlich (R-Puyallup) is challenging Rep. Dawn Morrell (D-Puyallup).

"I am running because I want to improve the quality of life in our state and district," Heimlich said in a press release. "I believe we can achieve that by focusing on results in the core functions of government and maintaining fiscal responsibility by returning government to its proper limits."