Peninsula Daily News news services
SEATTLE — Three close races in King and Snohomish counties will decide which party will control the state Senate next year.
Republican and Democratic leaders are keeping a close watch on ballot returns in the 44th district in
Snohomish County and the 48th and 30th districts in King County, where Democratic incumbents are holding slim leads over their GOP challengers.
Meanwhile, Democratic Sen. Claudia Kauffman from Kent conceded on Thursday.
According to a message posted on her campaign website, Kauffman says she doesn’t think she’ll return for a second term.
She has been trailing Republican challenger Joe Fain by more than 10 points.
Kauffman was the first Native American woman elected to the state Senate.
