Polarizing Democratic State Senator Rodney Tom announced he won’t run for re-election. The Internet responded. 1. “Holy fucking shit, Rodney Tom is out. The turncoat “Dem” who helped give WA GOP control of the State Senate. Wow. What a victory.” 2. “Our long regional nightmare is over.” 3. “If @traceyeide retirement dimmed Dems chance of winning back Wash Senate, then @tomrodney retirement puts control of Sen back in play.” 4. “The Democrats may be cheering now, but they won’t be cheering in November.” 5. “This is terrible news for the Republicans.” 6. “[We] are pleased at this serendipitous turn of events for Joan McBride.”

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1. Robert Cruickshank, senior campaign manager at Democracy for America, via Twitter 2. Jon Talton, Seattle Times business columnist, via Twitter 3. Austin Jenkins, Olympia correspondent, Northwest News Network, via Twitter 4. Susan Hutchinson, WA State Republican Party Chair Susan Hutchinson, via Facebook 5. Chris Vance, former Washington State Republican Party Chair, via Northwest News Network 6. 48th Legislative District Democrats, via Facebook