Inquirer Editorial: Expletive deleted

Contrary to her infamous grand jury quotable, it turns out that State Sen. LeAnna Washington

can't

do whatever the [expletive] she wants.

Washington wanted to be reelected despite being charged with misusing state resources for political purposes. But voters denied her the nomination Tuesday. Two of every three Democratic votes in her Philadelphia-Montco district went against the veteran legislator, who once purportedly told a whistle-blowing staffer, "I'm the f-ing senator. I do what the f- I want."

This was a tough election for business as usual. Also resoundingly defeated was State Rep. J.P. Miranda (D., Phila.), who is charged with using a "ghost employee" to pay his sister. Along with an affirmation of a city rule against holding one elected office while seeking another, these results show that even ethically abused Philadelphians have standards.

But the election had no impact on the four legislators reportedly caught taking money from an informant in an investigation dropped by state Attorney General Kathleen Kane. Had their cases been prosecuted, one wonders whether those officials would also be facing early retirement.