Cantwell, other Washington incumbents cruise back to Congress
Nov 6, 2012, 9:30 PM | Updated: 10:34 pm
While might complain about Congress, it didn't stop them from sending Washington's incumbents back to the nation's capitol, including Senator Maria Cantwell. (AP image)
(AP image)
While voters might complain about Congress, it didn’t stop them from sending Washington’s incumbents back to the nation’s capitol.
Senator Maria Cantwell handily defeated Republican challenger Michael Baumgartner 59 to 40 percent for another six year term.
Cantwell, Washington state’s junior senator, led from the start, amassing a war chest worth more than $8 million that dwarfed Baumgartner’s effort, which added up to about $1 million.
“People should know that I am not going back to Washington DC to salute more stalemate, but to work with my colleagues on economic solutions that will put people back to work,” Cantwell said in a statement.
Democrat Suzan DelBene has defeated Republican John Koster in Washington’s most-contested congressional race.
In early returns Tuesday night, DelBene led by 54 percent to 46 percent for Koster in the race for the open 1st Congressional District seat.
In the 2nd Congressional district, incumbent Democrat Rick Larsen overwhelmed Republican Dan Matthews by a 60-39 percent margin.
Longtime Seattle Democrat Jim McDermott easily won another term in Congress, swamping GOP challenger Ron Bemis 81 to 19 percent.
Incumbents Dave Reichert, Adam Smith, Jaime Herrera Beutler, Doc Hastings and Cathy McMorris Rodgers also handily earned reelection.
Democrat Derek Kilmer easily won the House seat vacated by the retiring Norm Dicks with a 58-41 percent victory over Republican Bill Driscoll.
And Democrat Denny Heck easily knocked off Republican Dick Muri 58-41 percent to win Washington’s newly created 10th Congressional district seat.
