The state House race between Rep. Larry Haler and challenger Rob Welch has all the elements of a personal grudge match.

KENNEWICK -- Tri-Citians for Gerry Pollet?

KENNEWICK -- Two weeks after Fred Staples submitted about 18,500 signatures to move the Benton County seat, county commissioners aren't sure what to do with them.

KENNEWICK -- Washington's top school official and her challenger in the November election painted contrasting pictures of progress in the state education system during stops Tuesday in Kennewick.

Paterson farmer Pat Tucker is waging an upstart campaign to unseat Benton PUD Commissioner Jeff Hall in a tussle filled with specific criticisms of the utility.

Rarely much of a draw, the race for state treasurer pits a politician and longtime economist against a bureaucrat who's spent far more time in the trenches than in the limelight.

OLYMPIA -- Staff at the Public Disclosure Commission believe the state Republican Party used money from its exempt account to pay for three pre-primary election mailers that promoted Dino Rossi over Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire -- a possible violation of state law.

If enacted by voters in November, Initiative 1029 would increase required training for all long-term care workers from 34 hours to 75 hours, subject workers to new background checks and require them to be certified by the state.

It appears Benton County seat activist Fred Staples will have to collect signatures for another 1 1/2 years.

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Secretary of State Sam Reed on Thursday called on county election offices and nonpartisan groups to quickly organize voter registration drives at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities.

RICHLAND -- Dustin Roy, 20, of Richland, registered to vote Thursday evening as he listened to DJ's and live hip-hop outside Jack-son's Sports Bar in Richland.

PASCO -- Franklin County elections officials are working to organize a bilingual candidate and information forum next month in an attempt to increase voter participation among the Hispanic community.

Republican state public lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland and Democratic challenger Peter Goldmark sparred over campaign contributions and conflicts of interest in a meaty exchange Monday before the Herald editorial board.

PROSSER -- Retired judge Fred Staples capped his almost three-year petition drive Monday by turning in about 18,500 signatures calling for an election on moving the county seat.

OLYMPIA -- Since the Aug. 19 primary, 58 state legislators have contributed $1.9 million in leftover campaign cash to their caucus campaign committee so the money can be spent in competitive districts.

The four top law enforcement officers in Benton and Franklin counties said Thursday that they believe lawyer Sal Mendoza Jr. would best serve the community as the next Superior Court judge.

Two challengers for the Franklin County Commission said the incumbents haven't done enough to address the county's jail space needs at a Pasco Chamber of Commerce candidate forum Monday.

Prosser residents historically have opposed moving the Benton County seat from their town to Kennewick.

OLYMPIA -- A poll commissioned by the Secretary of State's office indicates voters who voted in the 2006 and 2008 primaries greatly preferred the "top two" primary to the controversial pick-a-party primary.

The Mid-Columbia's only delegate to the Democratic National Convention is living it up in Denver.

Brad Klippert narrowly widened his lead Wednesday over fellow Republican candidate Skip Novakovich in the race for an open state House seat in Benton County's 8th Legislative District.

Brad Klippert narrowly widened his lead Wednesday over fellow Republican candidate Skip Novakovich in the race for an open state House seat in Benton County's 8th Legislative District.

U.S. Reps. Doc Hastings and Cathy McMorris Rodgers and their leading challengers were easily dispatching little-known candidates in 4th and 5th congressional district primaries Tuesday.

Democrat Carol Moser and Republican Brad Klippert were advancing from Tuesday's crowded primary for an open House seat in the 8th Legislative District while Rep. Bill Grant, D-Walla Walla, and Republican Terry Nealey moved on in the 16th.

Pasco will have to wait a few more days to know if a bond issue to build an aquatic center and renovate Memorial Pool has passed.

Challengers posed strong opposition to two incumbent Benton County commissioners in the first round of primary election results counted Tuesday night.

It's primary election day. Do you know where your ballot is? Try the stack of mail on the counter.

OLYMPIA -- The rich may be about to get richer in the statehouse.

A meeting for those interested in volunteering for Republican presidential candidate John McCain is slated for 1 p.m. Saturday at the Kennewick Library at 1620 S. Union St.

Hungry customers at Fiesta Mexican Restaurant on Road 68 in Pasco got more than homemade tortillas and salsa with their lunches Wednesday.

PORTLAND -- When Arizona Sen. John McCain released the list of his "Oregon Grassroots Leadership Team" Wednesday, one name was conspicuously absent: Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith's.

The Benton County Republican Party is running radio ads criticizing Gov. Chris Gregoire for her role in the failed recruitment of the Areva uranium enrichment plant to the Tri-Cities.

PROSSER -- Secretary of State Sam Reed will be in Prosser today to discuss Washington's new top two primary election.

The sluggish economy and high gas prices top the list of key issues in the race for U.S. Congressional District 5, candidates said.

Richland CityView TV will replay a forum featuring candidates for Washington's 8th and 16th legislative districts between now and the Aug. 19 primary election.

A veteran Superior Court judge looking to retain his seat and a seasoned attorney hoping to bring a new perspective to the bench will face off next week in the primary election.

WASHINGTON -- The incumbents include one who was hailed by conservatives after he flipped his stance on the Iraq war, one who has hung out with Special Ops forces along one of the most dangerous borders in the world and another who has used the same slogan on his yard signs for 30 years.

Judge Dennis Yule has occupied a seat on the Benton-Franklin Superior Court bench for 22 years.

Benton County commissioner candidates Claude Oliver and Jim Beaver will debate at a forum Friday.

Kennewick Democrat George Fearing narrowly edged Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., in July fundraising, but the seven-term congressman maintains a sizable advantage in cash on hand.

State Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, who faces voters for the first time as an office holder in the Aug. 19 "top two" primary, is being challenged by a sociology teacher and a community theater volunteer.

Two Yakima lawyers are squaring off in the only contested race for Yakima County Superior Court.

OLYMPIA -- Secretary of State Sam Reed is predicting a 46 percent turnout for Washington's first ever "top two" primary Aug. 19.

OLYMPIA -- Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire and Republican rival Dino Rossi will debate at least three times before this year's Nov. 4 general election.

OLYMPIA -- Secretary of State Sam Reed is predicting a 46 percent turnout for Washington's first ever "top two" primary Aug. 19.

Supporters and opponents of Pasco's pool bond issue generally agree the city needs to do something about its swimming facilities.

A Republican trio has stepped forward to take on longtime state Rep. Bill Grant, D-Walla Walla, but after 22 years in the statehouse Grant doesn't take it personally.

The race to replace longtime state Rep. Shirley Hankins may prove to be one of the state's most underrated and unpredictable legislative campaigns this year.

Backers of Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., and Democratic challenger George Fearing are likely to get a good idea where they stand with voters in the Aug. 19 "top two" primary.

Seventy-nine Tri-City lawyers think attorney Bob Thompson is better suited to be a Superior Court judge than 12-year incumbent Vic VanderSchoor, according to the results of a recent poll.