Another retirement

Adding to the tally of legislative retirements is northwest WA Senator Harriet Spanel, stepping down after two decades in the legislature. Spanel has served in party leadership the past several terms as chair of the Democratic Caucus. Her sole attempt at higher office came in 1994 when she was the Democratic nominee for the 2nd Congressional district against Jack Metcalf, which she lost by ten points.

The seat she's vacating should be considered solidly Democratic and Republicans likely won't seriously target it. I imagine the Democratic leadership will give first crack to the district's representatives, Dave Quall and Jeff Morris, though I doubt Quall would look to move up at his age and after racking up 15 years of seniority in the House.

Update: Digging further in the news I see that Rep. Shay Schual-Berke is also retiring, leaving her solidly Democratic House seat vacant.