Washington Senate Election: Patty Murray (D) vs. Dino Rossi (R)
CBS NEWS RATING: EDGE DEMOCRATIC
Since she was first elected in 1992 with the moniker of "a mom in tennis shoes", Democrat Patty Murray has managed to win reelection twice by healthy margins, but her opponent this year, Republican Dino Rossi, is better known than her former challengers having run twice for governor -- providing Murray with her toughest election since taking office.
Murray's Senate voting record is liberal. National Journal's 2008 vote ratings ranked Murray the most liberal member of the Senate - something Rossi often repeats on the campaign trail. National Journal's 2009 ratings have her ranked 19th.
Murray voted for the health care reform law, and supports a public option. On Rossi's campaign website, he calls the health care bill "a tax and spend bill with a little health care sprinkled on top." On tax cuts, the candidates come down along party lines: Rossi would like to see all the Bush tax cuts extended, while Murray would like them to expire for those earning over $250K, while keeping tax cuts in place for Americans earning less. Rossi has called for the repeal of financial regulation reform which Murray voted for.
In an ad, Murray tries to link Rossi's position on repeal to money he's raised from Wall Street and corporate lobbyists. Rossi has tried to paint Murray in a similar light, a friend of Wall Street, based on her vote in favor of the financial bailout or Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). As chair of Transportation/HUD in the Senate Appropriations Committee, Murray has managed to bring home a considerable amount of projects for her state. She defends them as beneficial to Washington neighborhoods while Rossi criticizes the federal spending as just one of many components adding to our crippled financial system.
Murray needs to drum up turnout in King County (Seattle) which is traditional Democratic territory. Rossi needs to perform well and stay competitive in King. He also needs to turn out the vote in the eastern part of the state which is more Republican.
Washington hasn't voted for a Republican in a statewide election since 1994, and they've gone Democratic in every presidential election since 1984. Murray has Mr. Obama's endorsement and more money, while Rossi has the experience of having run two competitive statewide campaigns and the political wind at his back.
Can the "mom in tennis shoes" squeak out another victory over Rossi and the revved up GOP?
See all CBS News Election 2010 Race Ratings
- Profile Updated October 14. Prepared by Jennifer De Pinto and Nick Dietz of CBS News' Election & Survey Unit.
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