McKenna concedes Washington state governor's race

November 9, 2012 @ 6:18 pm

Associated Press

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - 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.


(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Comments (4)


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  • longwayhome wrote...
    Clean sweep this 2012 election!
    November 9, 2012 6:36 pm
    I've noticed a lack of participation from the usual negative posters. I'm glad this has cleaned up the poster (gene) pool. I'm sure there will be the backlash from the truly insulted and depressed conservative folks that will come up with excuses and explanations why their man lost, and why every republican lost this election cycle. Could it be that the American people are tired of the B.S. from the right? I will repeat my usual rhetorical statement about neanderthals, racist homophobic republicans have really lost a lot of ground this year. The voters are finally getting smarter, and it will be the 2016 election when Hillary takes over that we can finally get rid of republicans altogether. And take their tea-party losers with them.
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  • Hayduke wrote...
    And you know what's even funnier?
    November 9, 2012 7:03 pm
    The GOP arguable ran their best candidate for governor. I actually thought the GOP might finally win the governorship here in WA. And I myself, as did some of my Democrat friends, felt Mckenna was smarter than Inslee, regardless of whether or not I agreed with his policies. Inslee's a decent man; I actually volunteered for his congressional campaign years ago. But McKenna strikes me as someone quicker on his feet.

    And yet....he lost. That's gotta just suck for you Republicans.

    And for anyone who says "See, you just voted for him because he's got a "D" after his name!" You're absolutely right!

    I'll tell you why. Because the GOP has swung so far to the right and purged their "RINO's." So it's only a matter of time until they try to push McKenna to the hard right.

    And even if he stayed a true moderate, you just cannot trust the GOP anymore. Look at Scott walker of Wisconsin. He campaigned as a moderate, and said not a word about busting up unions. And then look what happened.

    I actually have contributed money to GOP candidates in the past, BECAUSE THEY WERE MODERATES WITH COMMON SENSE. But I'm sorry, Republicans,it's time you think about purging the wacko Christian right and the rest of the hardcore lunatics in your party, rather than the moderates. Until then, I vote straight ticket D.

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  • bradj1001 wrote...
    hayduke
    November 10, 2012 6:15 am
    Scott Walker? You mean the governor of Wisconsin who put tough policy in place in order to save the economy of his state? The same guy who was lambasted by the unions, who tried to get him recalled because they were going to be the downfall of that state and didn't like the policies Walker put in place? The same guy who won the recall election by a higher % than his gubernatorial general election? Yes, I see what happened to him. He fixed his state financially. He was recognized for his successful policy and overwhelmingly the state decided to keep his leadership.
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  • CH wrote...
    Going to get better in 2014 . . . .
    November 9, 2012 7:07 pm
    say by by to the "House" Republicans!
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