Today's winner: 46th District Democrat Gerry Pollet.

This afternoon, the King County Council voted unanimously to appoint to the state house seat being vacated by David Frockt, who is taking over the state senate seat formerly held by Scott White, who died suddenly in October.

During a meeting of the 46th District Democrats last week, Pollet received more votes than his two top rivals, White aide Sylvester Cann and longtime party activist Javier Valdez; however, rumors spread over the weekend that some council members might vote for one of Pollet's competitors. (Traditionally, the county council appoints whoever the district party organization recommends). Pollet was appointed on a 9-0 vote after a committee meeting this morning in which council members interrogated him about his plans as a state legislator and at which both Cann and Valdez endorsed Pollet.

Today's loser: Republican US Senate candidate Michael Baumgartner. 

State Sen. Michael Baumgartner (R-6), who's challenging longtime US Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), announced in an email blast today that "Cantwell is in trouble." His evidence? A new SurveyUSA poll that shows Cantwell "just" 12 points ahead of Baumgartner.

Given that the overall approval rating for Congress is currently hovering around six percent, we'd say a 12-point lead looks more like a vote of confidence than a sign Cantwell's "in trouble."