Shirley Hankins

Chris Mulick at the TCH is reporting that retiring Rep. Shirley Hankins (R-Richland) has endorsed Skip Novakovich for her open seat this year. When he entered the race in mid-May Novakovich, who used to work for Hankins, swiped at his opponents for announcing their candidacy before Hankins formally retired.

"I'm kind of surprised, really," Novakovich said at the time. "It's almost like a slap in the face to her. She's making a tough decision."

Hankins said in a press release that her decision was based on his qualifications.

Shirley Hankins steps aside with class while Tim Eyman mortgages his house. Here are Washington state's Winners and Losers for May 9, 2008.

Rep. Shirley HankinsThe Tri-City Herald has video footage from Rep. Shirley Hankins' (R-Richland) press conference Wednesday where she made her retirement from the state House of Representatives official. Most notable, though, is Hankins' thoughts on the legislature, and the unforgiving words she has for her own Republican Party.

Hankins was also critical of a number of state policies, most notably the budget. She complained that Republican insistence on lower taxes is nice and all, but does nothing for the long term status of the state.

Chris Mulick is reporting that recently announced 8th LD Democratic candidate Carol Moser is expecting incumbent Rep. Shirley Hankins to retire. Hankins has yet to officially make her plans known.

“My deepest sense was she wasn’t going to run," said Moser, who has consulted with Hankins a number of times. "But it’s anybody’s guess.”

As reported by Chris Mulick, the 8th District race for House position 1 is getting some unexpected drama. Well, drama considering the district is a full-fledged Republican hotbed where Democratic opponents struggle to get one third of the vote.  read more »