1. File this under the biggest missed opportunity for the Democrats in their attempt to take back the state senate: The lack of money Democratic interest groups spent on Independent Expenditures early on vs. the money that Republican interests kicked in. 

We noted this big discrepancy right after the primary in August.

And while Democratic groups roared back in the general (for example, Democratic groups ended up pouring $808,153 into IEs in the pivotal 45th Legislative District race between Democratic challenger Matt Isenhower and incumbent Republican state Sen. Andy Hill, R-45, Redmond), it's hard for candidates to bounce back from tepid primary numbers, and more critically, from allowing the opposition to define them early, according to one disgruntled Democratic Olympia insider as "tax-and-spend liberals pushing a kooky anti-jobs environmental policy."

They concluded: "There was tons of spending in the general to help them, but they were already defined."

2. An even bigger problem for Democrats: lackadaisical turnout. While the Washington Secretary of State had predicted 62 percent turnout—which would have been a plus for Democrats—as of yesterday's SOS count, turnout was still below 30 percent at 28.5 percent. (Footnote, King and Snohomish had not reported yet, but stood at 22.7 and 23.6 respectively from their earlier counts from the day before.) 

3. On that note, voting is easy peasy. If you haven't voted yet you can go to the King County Elections website, scan a ballot and email or fax it right in. 

4. Young, pro-choice Republican house candidate Melanie Stambaugh took to Facebook yesterday to respond to her opponent incumbent Democratic house Rep. Dawn Morrell's (D-25, Puyallup, Sumner, Fife) claims that Stambaugh's small business was flailing, that she only moved to the district a year ago, and that she lives with her parents. 

The business claim jibes with Stambaugh's own financial disclosure reports which show that her small biz, You Impression, a youth mentoring firm, only has income of $1-$3,999—and she's one of three owners.

But as Stambaugh notes in her FB rejoinder, while she "went up to the University of Washington," she grew up in the district and moved back two and half years ago (UW '12).

"And no, I don't live with my parents." 

5. In the state house race for Rep. Tami Green's (D-28, Tacoma) open seat (Green is making a run for the senate), Republican candidate, Paul Wagemann, a decorated vet, former computer store owner, and school board member, gets Fizz's loopiest campaign video for this strange "Island"-themed spot: 

Wagemann split the GOP in the top-two primary 27.48 to 25.56, putting him in the final round against Democrat Christine Kilduff, who got 31.6 percent. If Wagemann, who's got big support from the house Republicans and state party (about $110,000 total), can lock down the Republican primary vote, he'll win.