Bloglander

POST-ELECTION ANALYSIS, from The Inlander's political column, Trail Mix:

So would Spokane County return to 2008, when the Obama wave made it seem to be growing bluer? Or would it get back to 2010, when Eastern Washington’s traditional conservative bent reasserted itself? It seems that despite the big night for Democrats nationwide and across the state, Spokane County stayed conservative leaning. Both Dems running for the Spokane County Board of Commissioners lost, and Cathy McMorris Rodgers had her typical good night here.

But to get a real feel for the mood of the local electorate, you need to look at the 6th District, which covers parts of the South Hill, winding up to the North Side — it’s our suburban district.

Most districts in the state are “safe” for one party or another, but a handful — including the 6th — are swing districts. This year, we only had one race in the 6th, as Rep. Kevin Parker did not draw an opponent, and Sen. Michael Baumgartner is not up for reelection until 2014. And the one open seat did go Republican, with first-time officeholder Jeff Holy besting former legislator Denny Dellwo.