When the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that Initiative 297, which blocks continued nuclear waste from being disposed at Hanford Nuclear Reservation, was unconstitutional, it affected more than just advocates of the Hanford situation. Because of the parties involved, the decision may have an impact on some of the state's political races, as well.
"Everything is about timing in politics. People, I think, are willing to take a chance on new leaders."
- Republican congressional candidate Larry Ishmael on his race against U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D). Ishmael lost during a previous race against Inslee in 2006.