THE MAN IN THE ARENA:

Rossi gains edge over Murray in updated poll (Kyung M. Song, 6/07/10, Seattle Times)

According to The Washington Poll, conducted annually by the University of Washington, registered Washington voters who were polled during the week of May 24 -- when Rossi finally made official his widely rumored candidacy for the U.S. Senate -- preferred Rossi over Murray 42 percent to 39 percent.