Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) defeated a spirited challenge from Republican Tiffany Smiley to secure her sixth term in the Senate.
The race was closer than expected in deep-blue Washington, with some polls showing the two candidates even. Murray, who was first elected in 1992, is the dean of Washington’s congressional delegation and sits on the powerful Appropriations Committee.
Murray framed the race as a referendum on abortion access following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, saying Smiley would support a national ban on abortion. Smiley said she is anti-abortion but does not support a nationwide ban.
“Women’s rights are on the ballot. Our democracy is on the ballot, and our economy is on the ballot,” Murray said of the election.
Smiley is a former nurse whose husband was injured in Iraq, and she focused her campaign on problems such as the homelessness crisis and inflation.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“Families across Washington now face multiple crises, with inflation, gas prices, crime, drug addiction and homelessness all skyrocketing,” her website said. “While career politicians seem to get in the way of solving these crises — or worse by creating or exacerbating crises — Tiffany is a triage nurse and has real life experience in taking on and fixing crises.”
Republicans need a net gain of one seat in order to take the majority in the Senate.
