McKenna concedes Washington state governor's race

Republican candidate for Washington Governor, Rob McKenna speaks to supporters in Bellevue, Wash., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. / AP Photo/Stephen Brashear

OLYMPIA, Wash. Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna is conceding defeat.

Campaign manager Randy Pepple told reporters Friday night that McKenna called Democrat Jay Inslee to congratulate him. Inslee had steadily held a 51 percent advantage in the race as ballots were counted this week.

The decision brings to end one of the most watched, most expensive gubernatorial races in the country. The two candidates and outside political groups raised and spent some $40 million in the race.

McKenna had portrayed himself as a moderate with a plan to increase funding for education. Inslee had touted his plans to spur job growth by investing in clean energy and other specific sectors.

Both candidates vowed to not raise taxes. Those policies will be put to the test in January, when lawmakers begin negotiations over how to deal with a budget shortfall and the need for more education funding.

[Wingsfan1983]

Republican for education and a Democrat for energy..... Go figure?

[gadfly65]

Well at least he can burn one to dull his disappointment.

[audemus]

SUNG TO THE TUNE OF..."California Here I Come..." by Buddy DeSyla, Joseph Meyer and Al Jolson.


Old See-At-Uhl-here I come, goan out there to fire-up one;
The papers, the roach-clips, imported bongs;
It's Groovy, all Smoothie,
Peace and Love and Neil Young songs
are callin' me to have some fun,
Where it's legal to burn one;
So long as, I don't have, more than a ounce,
And Feds keep-their SWAT Teams,
And K-9s out....


To Be Continued....