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YAKIMA These are hard times for Democrats in Central Washington state.

For the first time in state history, the general election for a U.S. House seat features two Republicans and no Democrat. Thats because the two Republicans in the 4th Congressional District received the most votes in the August primary under the states system in which the top two vote-getters advance, regardless of party.

The state and national GOP are not taking sides in the race between Clint Didier, a tea-party activist, and Dan Newhouse, a mainstream Republican.

We are pleased that seat is going to remain in Republican hands, said Steve Beren, spokesman for the Washington State Republican Party. It would be great if that happened in all the districts.

The 4th District covers Central Washington, the states agricultural powerhouse. The district grows apples, cherries, wine grapes and dozens of other high-value cash crops, and relies on thousands of migrant farmworkers who toil in fields and warehouses. The districts population centers are in Yakima and the Tri-Cities.

The district historically votes solidly for the GOP, going overwhelmingly for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney over President Obama in 2012. Republican U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings, who has held the seat since 1994, beat Democrat Mary Baechler 66 to 33 percent in 2012. The last time a Democrat won the seat was 1992.

With Hastings retiring, the primary election featured eight Republicans, two Democrats and two independents.

Didier, a former NFL player, got 31 percent of the vote, and Newhouse, a farmer and politician, got 25 percent. The two Democrats, Estakio Beltran and Tony Sandoval, combined for just 18 percent of the vote in what is considered the states most conservative House district.

Democrats had figured to draw some 30 percent of the primary vote but ended up far short.

Im not sure why, said Mary Stephenson, a longtime Democratic leader in Yakima.

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U.S. House race in Central Washington lacks a Democrat

Democrat #39;s withdrawal upends Kansas Senate race
Democrat #39;s withdrawal upends Kansas Senate race Democrat #39;s withdrawal upends Kansas Senate race.

By: USA Todays

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Democrat's withdrawal upends Kansas Senate race - Video

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has welcomed as a victory for fairness todays House of Commons vote in favour of a Liberal Democrat bill to expand exemptions to the spare room subsidy provisions included in the housing benefit bill.

MPs backed the Affordable Homes Bill, introduced by Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George at second reading by 306 votes to 231.

The bill aims to afford exemptions to those who cannot find a smaller home as well as disabled people who need a spare boardroom or who have adapted homes.

It will be another step to strengthen protections to those affected by the spare room subsidy, following on from Liberal Democrat-led moves earlier in the year to lift the cap from Discretionary Housing Payments in Scotland, which is allowing the abolition of the measure in Scotland. Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie led calls to the Scottish Government to work with the UK Government to deliver change to the policy.

Commenting, Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie said:

Scottish Liberal Democrats have always been clear that we should actively seek to address any unintended consequences of this legislation. This Liberal Democrat-led initiative is a significant and welcome step forward in our efforts to build the fairer society we all wish to see, and votes from MPs across the United Kingdom are ensuring progress towards a fair outcome in all parts of the UK.

"It is a victory for fairness. It shows that Liberal Democrat efforts to keep this policy under constant review can deliver meaningful change to those affected by any unintended consequences."

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Lib Dems back affordable homes Bill

Representative David Gomberg Democrat - District 10 - Central Coast
Biography Education: BS in Political Science from Oregon State University. Graduated with Honors in 1976. Elected as Student Body President MAIS from OSU in Political Science, Economics, and...

By: LocalEditionNW

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Representative David Gomberg Democrat - District 10 - Central Coast - Video

Democrat Valarie Wilson picked up a big endorsement Friday when EMILYs List announced it will support her candidacy for Georgia superintendent.

EMILYs List is a high-profile, national group that backs female Democratic office-seekers. Support from EMILYs List often opens up national fundraising opportunities for a candidate.

Wilson faces retired Irwin County educator Richard L. Woods in the superintendents race. As a Democrat, she is in a tough battle to win election in a state that currently has no Democrat in statewide office.

A poll of 1,578 likely voters conducted Aug. 24-25 for WRBL-TV and The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer showed that Wilson trails her Republican rival by about 4 percentage points just beyond the polls margin of error.

A spokeswoman for EMILYs List said the group would be providing a financial donation to the Wilson campaign, but she did not say how much or when that donation would be made. Wilson said she will work to get voters to see beyond party labels and that the EMILYs List endorsement will help with that effort.

I think party identification is real, Wilson said. We are looking at Rs and Ds instead of who is the best candidate. Ive got to get my message out.

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EMILYs List backing Wilson in superintendents race