Rick Jansons

Chris Mulick at the TCH is reporting that retiring Rep. Shirley Hankins (R-Richland) has endorsed Skip Novakovich for her open seat this year. When he entered the race in mid-May Novakovich, who used to work for Hankins, swiped at his opponents for announcing their candidacy before Hankins formally retired.

"I'm kind of surprised, really," Novakovich said at the time. "It's almost like a slap in the face to her. She's making a tough decision."

Hankins said in a press release that her decision was based on his qualifications.

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.