During this year's campaign, Bremerton Congressman Norm Dicks, who first went to Capitol Hill in 1976, told everyone he could that he wanted a Democratic victory so he would finally be called "Mr. Chairman."
He's likely to get his wish when Democrats take control of Congress in January. The sea change will give more clout to Washington, where both senators and seven of nine representatives are Democrats, and to Oregon, where one senator and four of five representatives are Democrats.
The federal deficit, spending in Iraq and pressure to live up to campaign pledges of fiscal restraint will limit the spoils. Still, Dicks (WA, 6th), who will chair the subcommittee that controls funding for the EPA and Interior department, has said funding cleanup of Puget Sound is a top priority. Even if funds are limited, at least the region's representatives will be at the table to do the carving.
Here's a summary of likely key leadership positions, according to multiple local reports:
Sen. Patty Murray: Appropriations subcommittee on transportation.
Sen. Maria Cantwell: Commerce subcommittee on fisheries and Coast Guard.
Sen. Ron Wyden: Energy and Natural Resources subcommittee on forestry.
Rep. Jim McDermott: Ways and Means subcommittee dealing with health care.
Rep. Norm Dicks: Appropriations subcommittee for the EPA and Department of the Interior.
Rep. Peter DeFazio: Transportation Committee's surface transportation subcommittee.
Rep. David Wu: Science Committee's subcommittee on environment, technology and standards.