The Washington state Republicans are still pissed off, because a judge made the state count
of the votes in their Gubenatorial race (unlike our national elections), and consequently, the Democrat won.
GOP Senators Want Eastern Wash. As a StateOLYMPIA, Wash. - If Washington state Sen. Bob Morton has his way, he'll soon be a resident and lawmaker in the 51st state of the United States.
The Republican is the prime sponsor of a measure that asks for a new state to be created east of the Cascade Mountains, using 20 of the current state's 39 counties.
Though the measure has little chance of becoming a reality, it's a further sign of frustration between Washington's east and west that became more apparent during the recent contested governor's race.
Morton argues that Eastern Washington has its own distinct culture, lifestyle and agriculture-driven economy. And he says growth development restrictions and other regulations imposed by Western Washington politicians and bureaucrats put a stranglehold on his area.
"It's not sour grapes. It's common sense," he said. "People who think alike should be united."
Bitterness over the red-blue divide in the state only increased after the governor's race. Eastern Washington overwhelmingly voted for Republican candidate Dino Rossi, only to see Democrat Christine Gregoire pull ahead in a hand recount thanks to strong support in King County, where one-third of the state's voters live.
