VANCOUVER, Wash. The
outcome of two legislative races still undecided could affect the balance of
power in the Senate.
Two legislative races in
Clark County are going to an automatic recount. County Auditor Greg Kimsey says
election workers next week will recount 58,994 ballots in the 17th District by
hand. On the first count, incumbent
Republican Don Benton had a 78-vote lead over Democrat Tim Probst.
The other recount will
decide who wins Probst's old House seat. Democrat Monica Stonier has a 139-vote
lead over Republican Julie Olson.
If
Benton wins, that would give the Democrats a 26-23 majority in the senate, but
two Democrats have indicated they'll work with the GOP. The House is solidly
Democratic.
