Roger Goodman

Two weeks ago in Denver, Washington state Speaker of the House Frank Chopp (D-Seattle) remained hopeful of the Democrats' long term strategy for maintaining a large House majority, but after August's "top two" primary, House Republicans are as hopeful as ever.

Kevin Carns, the Director of the House Republican Organizational Committee, told PolitickerWA.com that, after analyzing an extensive series of numbers, House Republicans should be able to reduce the Democratic majority by at least two seats in 2008.

"From a macro perspective we are in very, very good shape," Carns said. "We are in a strong position to pick up a couple seats minimum."

According to Mulick, former Rep. Toby Nixon will seek the seat he vacated in 2007 in the 45th district. Nixon, a Kirkland Republican who stepped down to try a failed Senate run, will challenge incumbent Roger Goodman (D-Kirkland).