MOSES LAKE - Washington State Republican Party Chairwoman Susan Hutchison discussed the impact eastern Washington voters can have in elections at the Grant County Republicans Lincoln Day Dinner Friday.

Hutchison was the event's keynote speaker and shared her message with about 200 guests.

She was an anchor for KIRO-TV in Seattle for over 20 years, and elected as chair in August.

"We need everyone in eastern Washington to vote, to work," Hutchison said. She explained how important it is for voters to get involved and know their votes count.

She also discussed how many eastern Washington voters often feel that King County is the deciding factor in elections. But that doesn't have to be the case, she explained.

"I need you (voters) to cancel out King County," by voting she said.

There are now about 1.4 million unregistered voters in the state of Washington, and if even one-tenth of those unregistered became voters, they could easily impact the outcome of the upcoming elections, she said. Hutchison also said that Washington state is a swing state because it is the 13th largest electoral state.

As a party, Hutchison feels they haven't done a good job in educating voters and it is important to change that by educating and developing voters year round to see results in upcoming elections.

At the same time, she emphasized how voters should work for the candidates they are backing by showing support to their campaigns.

Hutchison encouraged candidates their state party is with them in support, and said that great people will take the risk in running because they will know that they have a great group behind them.

Fourth Congressional District candidates Clint Didier, a former NFL tight end and Franklin County farmer, former state Agriculture Secretary and legislator Dan Newhouse, of Sunnyside, photography business owner Gavin Seim, of Soap Lake, Kennewick attorney George Cicotte, and Sen. Janéa Holmquist-Newbry, R-Moses Lake, were in attendance, along with Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, who is running for Holmquist-Newbry's Senate seat.

Rep. Bruce Chandler, R-Granger, was also on hand.