dino rossi.lly, though, the republican party of washington never actually nominated dino rossi to be their nominee. republicans didn't actually nominate anyone for the senate race that year. and that's because, essentially, the republican party in washington decided they were going to stay neutral in a primary fight between that guy, dino rossi, and this guy, a sarah palin-endorsed tea party guy. dino rossi, ultimately, beat the tea party guy in a statewide primary. that is how dino rossi earned his way on to the ballot to earn the right to lose to patty murray in the general election. but the republican party never technically nominated him for the seat. the republican party never technically nominated anyone. and it turns out that's really important. because the rules in washington state say, if you want to be considered an official major party in the state, and thereby earn the right to have your candidates on the ballot, just by asking, because after all, you're a major party, in order to qua