KPLU Local News
(2010-11-05)
Listen Now:
null
Senator Patty Murray celebrates her victory over Dino Rossi at Seattle's Tutta Bella Restaurant Thursday evening. Rossi conceded the race after Murray's lead widened in the ongoing vote count in Washington state.
AP photo (Kevin P. Casey).
(KPLU) -
After his third cliffhanger in a row, Republican Dino Rossi threw in the towel last night and offered congratulations to his opponent, Democratic Senator Patty Murray. Rossi issued a written concession, and telephoned Murray to congratulate her on her victory.
Murray spoke to supporters at Tutta Bella restaurant in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood. She says she'll be able to work across party lines in a newly divided Congress:
"I have been in the minority. I have been in the majority. I've been in 50-50. I've been in both houses, Republican-controlled, both house Democratic-controlled, I've had all the experiences. And this I know. When I go back and speak for the people I represent and fight for our needs and our communities, I'm always able to find willing partners on the other side of the aisle to work with on those priorities and that's exactly what I intend to do now for the next 6 years."
Democrats will control the Senate by a slim margin. and Republicans will control the House.
The race was too close to call on Election Day, with thousands of ballots still not tallied in the state's slow-moving vote-by-mail process. But by last night, Murray's victory was assured. The margin stands at about two-and-half percentage points.
Rossi was able to wipe-out a huge popularity gap, by portraying Murray as having lost her connection to ordinary people after three terms in Washington D-C. But Murray retained enough support -- as a Senator who can stick up for her home state -- to eek out the narrow win.
Note: This story was updated from its original version to reflect Mr. Rossi's phone call to Sen. Murray, in addition to his written statement.
© Copyright 2012, KPLU
