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Incumbent	Patty Murray (D)
Opponent	Linda Smith (R)
Race outlook	Toss up - Trending Democratic

For only the third time in history, two women are facing each other in this U.S. Senate election. The winner, may ultimately be chosen because of what each of them said - literally.

Incumbent Sen. Patty Murray, came into office as the "mom in tennis shoes" who campaigned to work on problems that moms, families, and children faced. She has been criticized by former staffers for not playing the game. They charge she refused to meet with most lobbyists and was only interested in addressing issues easily explained in an anecdote about a friend or relative. Republicans argue Murray has been ineffective and has had a lackluster term.

Republican Rep. Linda Smith is outspoken and unapologetic. Her supporters in "Linda’s Army" are loyal; they are responsible for getting her on the ballot in 1994 as a write-in candidate B a first for Washington. She voted against Newt Gingrich for Speaker of the House in 1997. Her relentess support of Campaign Finance Reform could end her campaign. NRSC Chairman Sen. Mitch McConnell, a finance reform foe, first refused to give national money to Smith’s campaign. Bob Dole appealed on her behalf, then she $100,000 out a possible half-million in coordinated campaign funds.

Smith emerged from the primary and set out to woo "Reagan Democrats." She criticized her opponent as "too willing to strip the military budget."

Sen. Murray launched her re-election bid in April with a statewide tour. She recited her accomplishments like only a former pre-school teacher could, "apples to aerospace, high-tech to Hanford, saving salmon to educating kids." Murray reminded voters she is the voice of families in the Senate, adding that colleagues often track her down before voting to seek her advice on how middle class voters would react to legislation.

Smith early ads focused on families. One spot featured snapshots from the stump and a the National Federation of Independent Business to touting Smith’s record in dealing with family economics.

One of Murray’s early ads attempted to shake the stereotypes. "More" shows attempts to show she’s not all sugar and spice when it comes to negotiations on Capitol Hill: "She's helped law enforcement put more police on our streets, worked to expand trade to create good jobs, and, as a member of the Budget Committee, Murray was there to protect Medicare while balancing the budget. More than a mom in tennis shoes."

Despite this, a former Murray campaign manager endorsed her Rep. Smith saying, "Linda Smith is what Patty Murray vowed she would be the U.S. Senate We need someone in the Senate that will stand up to the politicians and the lobbyists. Patty said she could do it, but she changed when she got there."

While the candidate’s only debate was described as tame, advocacy groups have ignored their lady like tone. The Campaign for Working Families attacked Patty Murray on the late-term or partial birth abortion: "This procedure starts with the entire body being delivered except for the head. An incision is then made in the skull and the brain is removed. Patty Murray voted to continue this terrible procedure. Linda Smith did not."

The state Democratics accused Smith of abandoning Washington’s children in "Linda" featuring a cartoony Smith sitting in front of classroom as her words fill the room like chalkdust:
"I have decided the U.S. Department of Education is not necessary." ...Smith co-sponsored a bill to eliminate the Department of Education... cut Head Start and student loans. ...against testing standards. Linda Smith puts her narrow political agenda ahead of our schools."

The Smith campaign demanded TV stations pull the spot. Murray’s staff shot back, "If Linda Smith doesn’t like the ad, she should change the ay she votes."

Mail-in ballot could make the difference in 1998. Under a 1994 law, Washington residents can vote by mail - this could account for at least one-third to one-half of all ballots cast statewide. In 1994, Smith won the primary, after 887 absentee ballots were counted.

In the final weeks of the campaign, the Seattle
Post-Intelligencer reports state party officials issued a "Support
our Candidate or Get Out of Washington" statement after McConnell
signed a fundraising letter, without Smith’s name, that went out
the state GOPers. The statement says the party should stop raising money
in the state if they’re not going to provide Smith with money to
go on TV.

face=Arial>There is no Gubernatorial race in this state.