The jockeying for Jim West's old Senate seat continues, even though West protege Brian Murray was awarded the seat by local Republicans and the Spokane County Commissioners.

State Rep. Brad Benson, who, as the senior House of Representatives member in the district, normally would have been the heir-apparent to the empty Senate seat, made it clear again this week that he's got his sights set on ousting Murray in the Republican primary later this year.

In a brief appearance in the Senate on opening day -- shortly after Murray was sworn in -- Benson made a short speech telling the assembled senators how he'd always enjoyed working closely with the them.

"I hopefully look forward to working a lot closer with you very soon," he said.

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