Dems Eke Out Senate Victory in Washington; Rossi Concedes

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., has secured her re-election to serve a fourth term in the United States Senate representing the state of Washington.

In a tight battle down to the wire, a strong liberal turnout in King County gives Murray the boost she needs, making a victory for Republican challenger Dino Rossi statistically improbable. Rossi, a former state legislator and a real-estate investor, phoned Sen. Murray Thursday afternoon to congratulate her on a hard-fought campaign and to concede the election.  The Rossi camp later released a statement in lieu of an election night speech:

"I ran for the Senate because I believe we need a basic course correction from where Washington, D.C., has been taking us and to make sure this country is as free, as strong and as prosperous in the future as it has been in the past to preserve the best of America for future generations," Rossi said in the statement.

"That was a message that found a very receptive audience all across this state, though not quite receptive enough," he said.

Rossi concluded by saying he hoped both political parties would work together in Washington, D.C. over the next few years to solve the country's problems, namely the stalled economy and growing federal debt.