Carol Moser

Rep. Shirley HankinsThe Tri-City Herald has video footage from Rep. Shirley Hankins' (R-Richland) press conference Wednesday where she made her retirement from the state House of Representatives official. Most notable, though, is Hankins' thoughts on the legislature, and the unforgiving words she has for her own Republican Party.

Hankins was also critical of a number of state policies, most notably the budget. She complained that Republican insistence on lower taxes is nice and all, but does nothing for the long term status of the state.

After months of teasing the press about whether or not she would run for re-election to at 13th term, the Tri-City Herald reports that Rep. Shirley Hankins has announced that she will indeed retire. During the last legislative session Hankins was the third longest serving member in the House.

Her exit leaves four candidates in the race for the 8th District seat, Republicans Brad Klippert, Steve Simmons and Rick Jansons, and Democrat Carol Moser.

Chris Mulick is reporting that recently announced 8th LD Democratic candidate Carol Moser is expecting incumbent Rep. Shirley Hankins to retire. Hankins has yet to officially make her plans known.

“My deepest sense was she wasn’t going to run," said Moser, who has consulted with Hankins a number of times. "But it’s anybody’s guess.”

As reported by Chris Mulick, the 8th District race for House position 1 is getting some unexpected drama. Well, drama considering the district is a full-fledged Republican hotbed where Democratic opponents struggle to get one third of the vote.  read more »