Did you miss the news earlier this week that Rep. Joe McDermott, D-Seattle, has been appointed the state Senate? It was right here, beneath news briefs about the surrender of a shooting suspect, a plea by a robbery suspect, malpractice claims, a notice of delay in any new news about Richard McIver, a re-election announcement for next year from a Camano Island legislator and the awarding of a grant to the Bellevue Arts Museum.

McDermott's appointment was expected from the day that former Sen. Erik Poulsen announced he was resigning to take a job with the public utility district association. West Seattle Blog has more on McDermott's swearing-in.

The blog also has news on the contest to fill McDermott's House seat. Ivan Weiss, chairman of the 34th District Democrats, has ended his campaign to get appointed to the seat. He said in a statement that he already accomplished what he wanted to with his run and will now back Sharon Nelson.

At the time, Sharon was not well known in the District. Make no mistake, that was a problem, and it is why I ran. It is not that much of a problem today. I ran partly to send her and her team a message, and they have gotten the message. Sharon has demonstrated to my satisfaction that she will be an integral part of the organization in addition to being a hard-working, conscientious, responsive state representative. I like to think that I set that bar pretty high.