Pam Roach

Stan Shore, the Republican trickster famous for organizing a Green Party nominating convention to siphon votes away from Democrats, has filed several Public Records Requests seeking information about Senate Democrats.

 The progressive interest group Fuse has come out with an awards show of sorts on its website, complete with a red curtain and a long list of awards under the banner of what they called the "Sizzle Awards".

In addition to highlighting a handful of prominent Democratic lawmakers, they give Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown (D-Spokane) "The Boss" award for "being a progressive rock star", and they even showed some kindness to a Republican. Rep. Skip Priest (R-Federal Way) was named "The Collaborator" for his success in working across the aisle with Democrats

Republican leadership has forbidden state Senator Pam Roach (R-Sumner) from talking directly to Republican caucus staff. It could be because she asked them to sign loyalty oaths. It could be because she pulled a gun on a staffer. Or it could just be because she’s crazy.

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.

The sides are starting to take shape in the much publicized and fiercely worded quarrel among members of the Republican Senate caucus. Today Sen. Don Benton (R-Vancouver) took sides with Sen. Pam Roach (R-Auburn). In a letter to his colleagues obtained by the TNT, Benton criticized the professionalism, leadership and fiscal responsibility of the Republican caucus leaders, notably Sen. Mike Hewitt (R-Walla Walla).

Mulick at TCH and Turner at TNT have the back story of yesterday's Pam Roach incident.

State Senator Pam Roach (R-Auburn) blasted members of her party's leadership in an e-mail earlier this week, making accusations of lewd behavior, incompetent management and "personal problems" toward Minority Leader Mike Hewitt (R-Walla Walla). TNT's Niki Sullivan first reported on the tiff at Political Buzz.  read more »