That's the word currently spreading in Democratic political circles, where people are saying an announcement may come this evening.

If true, it could explain why Benton, a Republican state senator from Vancouver, is too busy to attend a forum for Republican U.S. Senate candidates tomorrow in Silverdale. It could also be good news for Dino Rossi, who would then have one less conservative cluttering the field of Republicans who hope to take on Patty Murray this fall.

In perhaps related news, Rossi's campaign announced today that he's raised $600,000 since declaring his candidacy last week (compared to Benton's roughly $120,000 for his entire, multi-month candidacy).

(A call to Benton's campaign headquarters was not immediately returned.)