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.

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

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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.

PPP shows the race still tight, and with President Obama’s approval rating sagging in the state — right ahead of his big visit.

Of course, people like the Goracle made a mockery of the whole industry, what with their prolific globe-trotting.

Well, now it’s time for another offset of sorts — as D.C. politicians criss cross the country to rescue their favored incumbents.

With your help, we can offset their impact — and tip the momentum in our candidates’ favor!!!

This week, no less than former President Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden, and President Obama himself will barnstorm Washington State to try and help bail out Patty Murray. First Lady Michelle Obama will be here next week.

Murray, you may know, was rated the most liberal U.S. Senator by National Journal. Of course, before her, that honor belonged to…that’s right Barack Obama.

Now here’s the deal: Patty is hoping for a PR lift from this White House love-fest. Much of it being done on the public dime, no doubt.

And the brilliant side effects: Stuck in traffic? Deal with it. Late to work? Sorry! Can’t get the kids to soccer? Quit whining, it’s the President, baby!

If you’re fed up, and want to show Clinton, Biden, and Obama that they can’t buy this election for Patty Murray and the Democrats, then fight back!

Donate $25, $50 or $100 to Dino Rossi for U.S. Senate, Jaime Herrera and John Koster for U.S. Congress.

We cannot allow the White House to swoop in and hand this election to the Democrats.

And if it’s close, which it likely will be, our candidates are going to need every dime to fight till election day and perhaps even after (2004 ring a bell?).

Give as generously as you’re able. If you do, we can offset their visits and help our candidates sprint to the finish line.

If you don’t, you’re missing a chance to be part of a once-in-a-generation change in government.

Jaime Herrera TV ad — “Leisure” from Herrera Campaign on Vimeo.