Yakima Herald-Republic Republican Clint Didier has formally conceded the race to Dan Newhouse for Washington’s 4th Congressional District seat. Newhouse, also a Republican, was projected to win the race since Nov. 7, but Didier, a tea party ally, said early last week the campaign was still counting ballots and hoping for a recount. Since then, Newhouse has…

The Associated Press SPOKANE — Republican U.S. House candidate Clint Didier has dropped his federal lawsuit against a volunteer for his opponent’s campaign over an alleged misuse of state resources. Didier had originally sued opponent Dan Newhouse, also a Republican seeking the House seat from central Washington, plus Newhouse’s campaign and volunteer Christopher Voigt, who is the…

The Associated Press OLYMPIA — A recent opinion by a legislative ethics board clears Republican state Sen. Pam Roach of ethics violations for all-expenses-paid trips in 2013 to Turkey and Azerbaijan. The board’s ruling, released Sunday, appears to give lawmakers more leeway to accept free trips, the News Tribune of Tacoma reported Monday. State law allows officials…

OLYMPIA (AP) — A campaign seeking to expand gun-sale background checks has received a $500,000 donation from Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. The donation to Initiative 594 posted on the state’s Public Disclosure Commission website Monday afternoon. I-594 would require background checks for all gun sales and transfers in Washington state, including at gun shows and private sales….

The Associated Press TACOMA — Rep. Steve O’Ban has been appointed to fill the seat of Sen. Mike Carrell, who died last week from complications related to his treatment for a blood condition. The Pierce County Council was unanimous in its Tuesday vote for O’Ban. O’Ban was one of three names forwarded to the council by Pierce…

The Associated Press OLYMPIA — A state Senate panel has removed sanctions against a Republican lawmaker despite fresh allegations that she mistreated staff members in the Legislature. The Senate Facilities and Operations Committee decided Tuesday night that Sen. Pam Roach can now resume direct contact with staff. Republican Sen. Don Benton, who chairs the committee, declined to…

The Associated Press The King County ombudsman has decided not to pursue an investigation of Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna.  Ombudsman director Amy Calderwood said in a letter to McKenna released Friday that too much time has passed since he worked on the Metropolitan King County County Council about a decade ago. She says memories have surely…

The Associated Press A committee that screens candidates for judge in King County has agreed to reconsider its rating of “not qualified” for one such candidate, after several judges and other lawyers spoke out on her behalf.  Hong Tran is running for an open seat on the Superior Court bench against senior deputy King County prosecutor Sean…

 The Associated Press A woman who’s running for superior court judge in King County says she was stunned to receive a rating of “not qualified” from the county bar association, and she’s not the only one who was surprised. Two state appeals court judges have now written to the King County Bar Association on behalf of attorney…