Democratic State Auditor Brian Sonntag Will Retire

That’s the hot political news of the day in Olympia. Read more at The Spokesman-Review’s Spin Control blog.

Court Orders Senator’s Husband to Pay $50K

via Jerry Cornfield at the Everett Herald:

COUPEVILLE — An Island County jury ruled Friday that the husband of state Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen groped and sexually touched his wife’s former campaign manager without her consent and ordered him to pay her $50,000 in damages.

The verdict against retired lawyer and lobbyist Basil Badley came down shortly before 4 p.m., ending a two-week civil trial surrounding events inside the Democratic senator’s Camano Island home Dec. 2, 2008.

Follow @Herald_Politics for more.

Spokane Legislator Considering Run Against Cantwell

via KREM 2 TV: Spokane Republican Eyes Run Against Senator Cantwell.

Former White House Deputy Press Secretary Scott Stanzel is also reportedly considering the race.

Follow @KREM2, @VoteBaumgartner, and @ScottStanzel for more.

The Hits Against Murray Just Keep Coming

Two more hits:

National bloggers are now questioning the legality of illegal immigrants aiding Murray’s re-election bid, and the influence of former staff now turned lobbyists.

Ouch.

“Not only did I read it, but I helped write it.”

Those could be the words that do Patty Murray in, as Dino Rossi releases an ad titled “Who Wrote the Bill?”