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| State Representative-Elect Steve Tharinger |
"My opponent in the race for the 24th District's second State Representative seat, Jim McEntire, has conceded. I commend him for a well-run, vigorous campaign. It is with great pleasure and humility that I thank the voters of the 24th District for entrusting me with the great responsibility of being their new representative in Olympia. I could not be more honored to be the successor of the great Lynn Kessler, whose distinguished service on behalf of our local communities will always guide and inspire my own conduct in Washington's House of Representatives.
I am very proud of the sort of campaign we ran and the message we spread across the 24th District, so I would like to thank everyone who made it possible. First and foremost, I must once again thank the voters of the 24th District for their belief in me. Next, I must thank my wonderful campaign staff, from my campaign manager Sam Gibboney on down to all of the campaign's tireless staff members and volunteers. This victory would not be possible without the support, friendship, and counsel of Lynn Kessler and Kevin Van De Wege. Last but not least, I must thank my wonderfully supportive wife Yvonne and the rest of my friends and family for standing by me through this long campaign."
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| State Representative Kevin Van De Wege |
"I am extremely honored and humbled by the news that I have been reelected for a third term as state representative of Washington's 24th District. It means so much to me that our local communities have placed their faith in me to continue to fight for a better future for Washington. I would like to thank my family, all of my supporters, and especially the campaign staff, donors, and volunteers who made this victory possible. Special thanks goes out to my campaign manager, Larry Clark, who selflessly committed himself over the past few months to sharing our campaign's message with every single undecided voter in the entire District.
I will return to Olympia in January incredibly inspired by the time I've spent with the wonderful people of the 24th District over the past few months on the campaign trail. It is with all of them in mind that I will continue to work tirelessly to alleviate the hardships of the average hard-working Washington family by creating family-wage jobs, improving both the quality and efficiency of government services, and acting as the voice of the common people against the special interests and lobbyists in Olympia."
