In an email to supporters this afternoon (still headlined, hilariously, "Don't Let Wiggins Steal This Election"), state supreme court justice Richard Sanders acknowledged the inevitable.

Charlie Wiggins and I had dozens of debates and on those occasions he showed the same intelligence and professionalism that I had seen before when he
argued before the Court. I am sure he will be a good Justice, but of course he does not share my perspective on many issues. I have offered him my congratulations and promised him my 100% support for his new position.

I know that my supporters want someone on the Court who protects individual liberty, whether it's the right to privacy or the right to own and use property, or our dozens of other rights guaranteed in the Constitution. These are the things which make us free. They are essential to all of us -- defendant and judge -- liberal and conservative.

It has been a great honor to serve the people of Washington on their Supreme Court. I intend to stay involved, to participate in public life and to speak out on the issues that confront our justice system. I guess there's some truth in the saying, "old lawyers never die, they just lose their appeal."

In the latest vote count, the margin between Wiggins and Sanders grew to nearly 6,300 votes.

Meanwhile, the close 25th District state House race got even closer, with Republican challenger Hans Zeiger leading incumbent Democrat Dawn Morrell by just 18 votes, well into recount territory. And in the 41st, Republican challenger Steve Litzow now leads Democratic incumbent Randy Gordon by just 309 votes---edging the race closer to the recount margin of 282 votes.