Third Time's The Charm?
Gov. Chris Gregoire (D) has "declared victory" in the WA GOV's race, even though only about 42% of the ballots have been counted. Gregoire currently has a 52% to 48% lead over '04 nominee/ex-state Sen. Dino Rossi (R). In her speech last p.m., Gregoire said several news orgs had called the race for her, including the AP. But the AP says it "has not declared Gregoire the winner." Rossi, meanwhile, "has refused to concede." (La Corte, AP).
Rossi spokesperson Jill Strait released this statement: "We saw in 2004 and again in the primary this year that later votes cast and counted trended heavily toward Dino Rossi. If that happens again in this general election the results will change. The Rossi campaign simply does not feel that we are in a position to know who will win. Thus, Dino is not ready to concede."
The Rossi camp is waiting on a second round of returns from "lower-turnout" counties. In WA, 37 of the state's 39 counties cast mail-in ballots, with only King and Pierce counties still operating polling places. Eighty percent of all votes statewide "were expected to be cast by mail," according to the Seattle Times.
The confusion hasn't stopped the DGA from congratulating Gregoire. In a statement released early this a.m., DGA exec. dir. Nathan Daschle said: "We are elated that Governor Gregoire secured a second term and we have increased our majority of Democratic Governors. ... Her victory tops off what has been a tremendous night for Democrats."
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