Field of Candidates Narrowed in Primary

The election in August narrowed the field of candidates running for office this November.

Senator Patty Murray (D) will take on challenger Dino Rossi (R) for the U.S. Senate. In the House, Norm Dicks (D) will once again take on Doug Cloud (R) for the four time and Adam Smith (D) will have a new challenger in Pierce County Councilmember Dick Muri (R).

In some of the races, members of the same party will face off against one another in the general election, which will be held on November 2, 2010.

Two Republicans will face each other in the general election in two of the legislative districts. In the 2nd legislative district, J.T. Wilcox will face incumbent Tom Campbell. In the 31st legislative district, Republicans Shawn Bunney and Kathy Dalquist will meet in the November election.

A similar fate awaits Democrats Jake Fey and Laurie Jinkins, who are running to replace retiring State Representative Dennis Flannigan in the 27th LD. It appears former Tacoma City Councilmember Connie Ladenburg will soon be in the state House of Representatives after a strong showing against three opponents.

In the county, Rick Talbert easily outmatched his opponents for the District 5 seat (incumbent Barbara Gelman was term-limited) by garnering 55% of the total vote. Democrat Betty Ringlee will square up against Republican Stan Flemming after a six candidate primary battle to represent District 7 (Gig Harbor/University Place). Democrat Pat McElligott will face Republican Dan Roach in the race to replace term-limited Shawn Bunney.