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Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, was named Wednesday to the select committee created by House Republican leaders to investigate the 2012 terrorist attack in Benghazi that killed U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.

Democrats had considered boycotting the panel, particularly after the National Republican Congressional Committee began using it as a fundraising vehicle.

After receiving assurances of fairness, over such matters as the committees witness list, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi filled the five Democratic slots on the committee. The panel has seven Republicans including its chairman, Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-South Carolina.

The loss of four brave Americans was tragic, and we must do everything possible to prevent such attacks from happening again. On that point, there is no debate, Smith said.

What is not clear is why this committee needs to be formed in the first place. What are Republicans trying to accomplish?

Pelosi ignored the caucus show horse who volunteered to serve on the panel, Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Florida, in favor of a workhorse lineup.

The ranking Democrat will be Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Maryland, best known for his dignified resistance to the publicity seeking investigations of subpoena-happy House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. Darrell Issa, R-California.

Other Democrats will include Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, an Iraq War veteran and double amputee, and Reps. Adam Schiff and Linda Sanchez, D-California.

Smith is completing his 20th year of service in the House. Since the 2011 redistricting, his 9th District has included much of Seattle south of Madison Street. He was an early supporter and state chair of Barack Obamas 2008 presidential campaign in the state.

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Rep. Adam Smith named as Democrat on Benghazi panel

Top Senate Democrat Wants FBI Involved In V.A. Investigation - Special Report 1st Segment
Top Senate Democrat Wants FBI Involved In V.A. Investigation - Special Report 1st Segment =========================================== **Please Click Below...

By: Mass Tea Party

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Top Senate Democrat Wants FBI Involved In V.A. Investigation - Special Report 1st Segment - Video

May 20 Senate Democrat Leadership Press Conference
Majority Leader Harry Reid discussed federal judicial nominations, the Senate tax extenders bill and whether he will allow amendments to the fiscal 2015 defense bill on the Department of Veterans...

By: Roll Call

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May 20 Senate Democrat Leadership Press Conference - Video

Fourth Congressional District candidates, Republican Mia Love and Democrat Doug Owens, shake hands after a debate during the 36th Annual Utah Taxes Now Conference in Salt Lake City Tuesday, May 20, 2014.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY The first debate between Republican Mia Love and Democrat Doug Owens in the race for Utah's only open seat in Congress quickly turned confrontational Tuesday, with Owens repeatedly challenging Love.

What no doubt will be a hard-fought battle for the 4th District seat now held by Rep. Jim Matheson, the sole Democrat in Utah's congressional delegation, kicked off at the Utah Taxpayers Association's annual conference.

Love, the former Saratoga Springs mayor who nearly defeated Matheson two years ago in a high-profile race that attracted national attention, largely focused her remarks on the issues raised during the debate.

But Owens, a lawyer and the son of late Utah congressman Wayne Owens, took issue with what he described as Love's "extreme views" while portraying himself as more pragmatic and less of an ideologue.

In his opening statement, Owens said Love applauded last year's federal government shutdown during a rally for Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, one of the leaders of the fight against the Affordable Care Act that led to the shutdown.

"That's the distinction between me and her. I see the shutdown as a breakdown," Owens told the audience of about 150, calling the shutdown "the worst manifestation" of Congress' "extreme partisanship."

He said Love is driven by the national tea party agenda and questioned who she would be beholden to if elected because of support coming in for her campaign from out of state.

Owens also said Love wanted to create a voucher system for Medicare. She responded by first saying she was "flattered you bring my name up so much" and then declared she was committed to keeping the promises made to seniors.

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First debate between Love and Owens turns confrontational

CLARKSVILLE Democrat Larry Jones unseated Jimmy Dorney as Johnson County Sheriff in a tight primary race Tuesday, according to unofficial numbers with all 22 precincts reporting.

Jones narrowly defeated Dorney by a vote of 690 to 668.

Herman H. Houston defeated David Graves (421 votes) and James Melson (138 votes) with 792 votes.

Because no Republican candidate entered either of those races, Jones and Houston will avoid the general election in November, and take office on Jan. 1, 2015.

Jill Stumbaugh Tate, with 561 votes, will face Lisa Tipton Venson, with 404 votes, in a June 10 runoff election for Johnson County Assessor. Maurice "Mark" Tumbleson, who garnered 370 votes.

Democrat Pamela Cogan, with 950 votes, was elected Johnson County Coroner over Marshall McClatchey, who received 381 votes.

Other one-party contested races decided Tuesday include:

Democrat Mike Jacobs for Justice of the Peace (J.P.) District 1 over opponents Carol Porter Williams (13 votes) and Greg Phillips (31 votes). Jacobs, who received 76 votes, opted to run for J.P. rather than seek re-election as Johnson County Judge.

Democrat incumbent Gene Raible beat out Teresa Smith 87 to 54 to retain her seat as J.P. District 8.

Democrat Bertha "Bert" Wages defeated Chris Dickerson for J.P. District 11 by a vote of 92 to 45.

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New sheriff, judge for Johnson County