Local legislator to run against Sen. Murray | People

VANCOUVER, Wash. - State Senator Don Benton, a Republican from Vancouver, will run for United States Senate - vying with six other Republicans to unseat Democratic U.S. Senator Patty Murray.

Benton, who has represented Clark County in Olympia since 1994, said he intends to run a "clean and lean" campaign.

"For the last three weeks," said Benton in a press release distributed to KATU, "I've been drawing on my statewide network of contacts established when I was State Republican Party chairman to start a terrific grassroots campaign."

Benton also has retained the consulting team behind Scott Brown's unexpected victory in Massachusetts.

Benton says he has never voted for a tax increase and will no "be beholden" to special-interest groups.

"My opponent ... has voted with the administration 100 percent of the time," Benton said in the release. "Look at what we have to show for it. The people have had enough."

Benton began his political career in 1994 with his election to the State House of Representatives. He's a small business owner, and lives in Vancouver with his wife, Mary, and their four children. He's also an assistant Scoutmaster, and a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association.

Benton is serving his fourth term as the state senator from the 17th district, which includes Vancouver. In 1998, Benton unsuccessfully ran against Democratic Rep. Brian Baird for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Murray is serving her third term as a U.S. senator.

The two will face off in the Republican primary in August 1010.

• More on Oregon/Southwest Washington politics