WA-Sen: Murray Easily Defeats Hypothetical Foes

[ccharles000]

Research 2000 for Daily Kos (2/16-18, registered voters):

Patty Murray (D-inc): 53
Dave Reichert (R): 40
Patty Murray (D-inc): 55
Rob McKenna (R): 39
(MoE: ±4%)

Research 2000 takes a look at the 2010 Washington Senate race for Daily Kos, and there's really not much to see here. Patty Murray wins easily against two of the few Republicans that people in Washington actually like, Rep. Dave Reichert and Attorney General Rob McKenna. But neither of them have given any indication of running for the Senate, and if either of them had any urges, this poll is likely to squelch those.

McKenna has his sights set on the 2012 gubernatorial race (which will presumably be an open seat), while Reichert is (as I've talked about at length) the GOP's only hope of holding onto the Democratic-leaning WA-08 and the state GOP won't want to sacrifice him for a longshot bid against Murray. With Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers climbing the House leadership ladder and Dino Rossi having seen the extinction of his career, there just aren't any top-tier elected GOPers in the state to make this race.

Expect them to take the route they took in 2006 with Mike! McGavick and pick some super-wealthy self-funder you've never heard of, who won't break 40% but will at least be able to pay for his own funeral. (It's been long-threatened, but it may finally be John Stanton's turn in the dunk tank.)

http://swingstateproject.com