A few competitive races could change control of Legislature

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- A handful of races could decide whether there's a shake-up in the Washington Legislature this November, as Democrats hope to regain control of the Senate and Republicans have their eye on a majority in the House.

All 98 seats in the House are up for election on Nov. 8, and 26 of the Senate's 49 seats will also be decided by voters.

Democrats currently hold a 50-48 advantage in the House, and if they lose just one seat, they'll be forced to share power with Republicans, something that last happened from 1999 to 2001. If Republicans pick up more than one seat in the House they'll take outright control for the first time since 1998.

In the Senate, Republicans, with the help of a Democrat who caucuses with them, hold a 26-23 advantage but a few close races in that chamber give Democrats hope they can regain a slim majority.