The room rumbled Tuesday night at Seattle’s Westin Hotel as a crowd of Democratic supporters cheered for Gov. Christine Gregoire in unison, “Four more years. Four more years.”
The room erupted in applause as a confident Gregoire took the stage as the winner in a rematch against Republican challenger Dino Rossi.
Gregoire, 61, an Auburn native, addressed her supporters at the Democratic rally after major news organizations declared her the winner.
“Tonight the voters in Washington sent a message that they want a governor who shares their values of providing children healthcare, protecting the environment and creating jobs,” the governor said.
Gregoire jumped out to an early lead and maintained it. She had about 53 percent of the vote, or 755,275 votes, compared to Rossi’s 47 percent, or 674,445 votes as of late Tuesday night. She led by more than 100,000 votes Wednesday morning.
Rossi conceded the race Wednesday and called Gregoire to congratulate her.
“We had a fantastic campaign,” said Rossi, speaking at a news conference at his campaign headquarters in Redmond. He said he was proud of his campaign and would work with the governor.
Gregoire, speaking at noon in Seattle, called on Washingtonians to put the “divisive” campaign behind them.
On election night, Gregoire was gratified and relieved that her race for a second term was over.
The battle was a hotly contested and expensive one, spiced by attack ads. The candidates combined to spend nearly $25 million, a state record.
“All the negative ads are done,” Gregoire said. “It is time for us to come together as one great state.”
Gregoire thanked voters for braving the long lines throughout election day and led the crowd in unison, cheering, “Yes we can. Yes we can.”
Standing before her supporters, Gregoire counted her blessings and praised the state of Washington.
“As one Washington, we will work our way through those tough times and we will be better and we will be stronger.” She said, adding, “We are building a new economy and it is going to be a green, clean economy.”
Gregoire was joined on stage by Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. The two congratulated Gregoire on her win.
“Yes we can, and yes we did,” declared Murray as she stood along side Cantwell.
“This election night is every one of yours. You have worked your hearts and souls out,” Murray said, thanking the crowd.
“I just came from Bellevue and I think we are going to make history there when we put first Democrat to represent the 8th Congressional District,” said Cantwell, rousing a loud cheer from the crowd.
Murray echoed Cantwell’s statement, saying, we are going to have a great new woman elected in the 8th District, Darcy Burner.
As the election results poured in, ballots showed Democratic challenger Burner leading incumbent U.S Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Auburn, in early returns. The tide shifted slightly, placing the candidates in a neck-to-neck race as the votes were counted.
The 8th District covers most of eastern King County from Bellevue south and parts of Pierce County.
As of early Wednesday, Reichert had edged in front with an estimated 1,100-vote lead.
Two years ago, Burner lost to Reichert by 3 percent.
