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Eastern Washington’s Red Counties Overwhelmed By Blue

RICHLAND, Wash. – Last night’s election put Washington’s electoral map on display. For the most part, Western counties near the Puget Sound voted one way, while Eastern Washington voted more conservative on the issues of same-sex marriage, legalizing marijuana and in the race for governor. Correspondent Anna King attended a Republican campaign party in Richland,

About 100 people showed up to the party on the west bank of the Columbia River. It didn’t take long for the mood to turn sour. Many started trickling out right after the presidential race was called. Others headed for the bar. Republican Congressman Doc Hastings says it’s hard to see the conservative vote washed away in a sea of blue.

“This area in Central Washington has become probably more conservative over the years. And I just wish there were those same sentiments in other parts of the state, but obviously we’re a diverse state and those sentiments are different everyplace,” Hastings said.

One young Republican supporter to said he’d take any small conservative victory in Washington – or as he put it, “a piece of the pie.”

Copyright 2012 Northwest Public Radio

This map shows shows Washington's political divide, at least in the open race for governor. Source: Washington Secretary of State.
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This map shows shows Washington's political divide, at least in the open race for governor. Source: Washington Secretary of State.

Copyright 2012 Northwest News Network

Anna King calls Richland, Washington home and loves unearthing great stories about people in the Northwest. She reports for the Northwest News Network from a studio at Washington State University, Tri-Cities. She covers the Mid-Columbia region, from nuclear reactors to Mexican rodeos.