Gov. Chris Gregoire today reiterated her support for allowing gays and lesbians to marry and urged legislators to pass her proposed legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in Washington. Today Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued this statement in response to the governor’s proposal: “I...

Mike Padden, a 33-year resident of the Spokane Valley and former district court judge, returned to the Legislature today when he took the oath of office as the new state senator from the 4th Legislative District.  Padden won a Nov. 8 special election to fill the seat that came open...