Gov. Chris Gregoire’s lead over Dino Rossi was down to a little more than 2 percent late this afternoon, according to the Secretary of State’s Web site.
The latest results show Gregoire with 48.85 percent, and Rossi with 46.14 percent statewide.
The Rossi campaign put out a press release today saying that Rossi’s percentage has improved in all but three of the 25 counties where ballots have been counted since midnight on election night.
Five counties — including Spokane and Clark — have gone from the Gregoire to Rossi column.
Rossi’s camp sees this as proof that “the more voters see Dino and hear his message, the more they like.”
Voters who mailed their ballots early had not seen much Rossi advertising, campaign manager Afton Swift said, but Gregoire ads had been airing for more than a month.
“Not surprisingly, Dino trailed in early voting.”
I dropped in at the Maple Valley Rotary meeting this morning to hear Rossi, and he told the crowd that Gregoire “has got problems.”
Rossi blasted Gregoire on the budget, transportation, and public safety.
He said he will balance the budget without raising taxes, and he will fund major transportation projects — without relying on declining gas tax revenue.
And he referred to Gregoire’s “less than gracious” advertising, telling the crowd, “If half the things they were saying about me were true, I wouldn’t vote for myself.”
On the other side, the state Democratic Party put out a statement today calling Rossi’s primary election “disappointing,” and linking Rossi to President Bush and the Texas men who helped fund the “Swift Boat” attacks against John Kerry.
Click ahead for both statements.
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