In a state known for its apples, and nicknamed the Evergreen State looms a bitter battle between Democrat Incumbent Senator Patty Murray and Representative Linda Smith (Republican) for the only U.S. Senate seat open in the state of Washington. Washington has been historically Democratic for years. But changes in the states economy and a low amount of challengers have led to political instability in the Evergreen State. In recent times, while the state has voted Democratic in the last three presidential elections, Washington voted Republican for president in the previous elections in the 1970s and 1980s. A Democrat has held the governors mansion since 1984. Control in the Senate, House, and state legislature is split. In 1994, Washingtons House delegation shifted more than any other states, with six of nine seats moving from Democrats to Republican. Conservative Republicans maintained their dominance in these same races in 1996. Democratic Sen. Patty Murray is one of three women elected in 1992 (The Year of the Woman) who is seeking re-election this year. Murray ran her campaign in 1992 with the slogan Mom in tennis shoes. Born on October 11th, 1950, Sen. Murray began her bout in politics as an educator running for the Shoreline School Board. She won the position and was on the school board from 1983-1989. Sen. Murray ran and won the Washington State Senate seat from 1989-1993.Sen. Patty Murray had an easy 54-46 percent win in 1992, but remains a top Republican target. The challenger, Rep. Linda Smith (Rep.), has gathered an army of grass-roots supporters who favor her pro-life and anti-tax record. Recent polling suggests that moderate Republicans generally are rallying behind Smith, giving her a chance of over-taking Murray, who still remains in front. Known as a tireless campaigner, Smith emphasizes her own populism and voted against the GOP tax cut proposal so that she could demonstrate her commitment to Social Securi...
