Seattle Times' reporters Jim Brunner and Jonathan Martin have been doing some of the best shoe leather reporting this election season on Sen. Patty Murray and her opponent Dino Rossi. Today they published a big story on Sen. Murray's tacky (if not ethically blurry) record of directing defense contracts to lobbying companies represented by former Murray staffers.

The Times summarizes:

At least 17 former aides to Sen. Patty Murray have gone to work as lobbyists. Several worked for clients who received Murray-sponsored earmarks in the 2011 defense appropriations bill. They include:

Rick Desimone, executive vice president at McBee Strategic Consulting, was Murray's chief of staff for eight years.

Shay Hancock, vice president at Denny Miller Associates, served on Murray's staff from 1993-97 and again from 2003-06

Dale Learn, vice president at Gordon Thomas Honeywell, was a staffer for Murray for six years.

Chad See, government affairs analyst at K&L Gates, was a member of Murray's staff.

Justin LeBlanc, senior vice president at Petrizzo Strategic Group, was legislative assistant to Murray during her first term.

Christy Gullion, chief federal lobbyist for the University of Washington, was Murray's former state director and is married to Murray's current chief of staff who is on leave managing her re-election campaign.