Local legislator to run against Sen. Murray

Submitted by KATU.com Staff on Mon, 2010-02-08 10:33

VANCOUVER, Wash. - State Senator Don Benton, a Republican from Vancouver, will run for United States Senate - vying with six other Republicans to unseat Democratic U.S. Senator Patty Murray.

Benton, who has represented Clark County in Olympia since 1994, said he intends to run a "clean and lean" campaign.

"For the last three weeks," said Benton in a press release distributed to KATU, "I've been drawing on my statewide network of contacts established when I was State Republican Party chairman to start a terrific grassroots campaign."

Benton also has retained the consulting team behind Scott Brown's unexpected victory in Massachusetts.

Benton says he has never voted for a tax increase and will no "be beholden" to special-interest groups.

"My opponent ... has voted with the administration 100 percent of the time," Benton said in the release. "Look at what we have to show for it. The people have had enough."

Benton began his political career in 1994 with his election to the State House of Representatives. He's a small business owner, and lives in Vancouver with his wife, Mary, and their four children. He's also an assistant Scoutmaster, and a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association.

Benton is serving his fourth term as the state senator from the 17th district, which includes Vancouver. In 1998, Benton unsuccessfully ran against Democratic Rep. Brian Baird for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Murray is serving her third term as a U.S. senator.

The two will face off in the Republican primary in August 1010.

More on Oregon/Southwest Washington politics

This article originally appeared on Orchards News

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Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2010-02-08 11:33.

Well THIS ADMINISTRATION is NOT the one who RUINED THE COUNTRY, idiot. You rwnj's sure know how to DENY RESPONSIBILITY.......just like any 8 yr old.

But EIGHT YR OLDS DON'T RUN COUNTRIES!

Submitted by Scruffy Scirocco on Mon, 2010-02-08 14:08.

This administration has run up a national debt that exceeds all other administrations put together - and it's done it in only one year. The party of the current administration - including the sitting president, who was previously a senator - has their fingerprints all over this mess we're in. The Community Reinvestment Act which led to this mess was started by a democrat, expanded by a democrat, and presided over by a democratic senate finance committee as it went down with a bigger crash than Enron.

Before you go calling people idiots, maybe you ought to educate yourself: http://calculatedrisk.blogtownhall.com/2008/10/28

Submitted by bobdoescare (not verified) on Mon, 2010-02-08 11:58.

Go for it Don. I was a Democrat but not believe in the Republican platform. Writing a check as we speak.

Hopefully this is 2010!

The two will face off in the Republican primary in August 1010

Submitted by bobdoescare (not verified) on Mon, 2010-02-08 12:01.

Go for it Don. I was a Democrat but now believe in the Republican platform. Writing a check as we speak.

Hopefully this is 2010! See below.

The two will face off in the Republican primary in August 1010

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2010-02-08 19:19.

i dont vote for freaky lookin dudes with one white sclera and one brown sclera. to me, that is a sign of satan.

Submitted by Greg Saum (not verified) on Mon, 2010-02-08 21:34.

If Don Benton and Sarah Palin are the best that the Republican Party can come up with to oppose the Democrats, then 2010 and 2012 are going to be fine election years for the Democrats. This is probably to be expected from a party whose sole purpose is to vote no to everything the Democrats propose.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 2010-02-12 23:13.

May God in heaven bless his campaign. Until we throw out the liberal democrats, the country will decline. I only pray that us conservatives can save it in time. God will pass harsh judgement on these stupid liberals.