Two Democratic legislators announce plans to leave, 2008 field gets more interesting
Two Democratic legislators announced plans today to quit the state Legislature to move on to other things.
First, Senator Erik Poulsen (D-34) made it known that he is resigning at the end of September to take a job with the Washington Public Utility Districts Association as government relations director. Poulsen's replacement will be determined by the precinct committee officers of the 34th LD Democrats, who may propose three nominees to the King County Council, which must pick one of them.
The individual the council selects must run for election to keep the seat in 2008 (if he or she so chooses).
The 34th is heavily Democratic and whichever Democrat ultimately takes Poulsen's place will likely be able to hold the office for much longer.
One of the district's two representatives, Joe McDermott, says he is interested in moving to the Senate. The other, Eileen Cody, is not (in part probably because she would lose her seniority in the House).
If McDermott takes Poulsen's place, the Democratic PCOs of the 34th will also have to nominate temporary successors for him.
Meanwhile, in the 46th, a heavily Democratic LD in north Seattle, longtime Representative Jim McIntire says he won't seek reelection to the House in 2008 but will instead run for state treasurer. That sets up a potential Democratic primary in 2008 with candidates vying to succeed McIntire. The LD's chair, Scott White, is reportedly already in the race and securing endorsements for his bid.
With McIntire's decision to seek the office of state treasurer, we can add another possible pairing to the 2008 field. (The current treasurer, Democrat Mike Murphy, is supporting his Republican deputy for the office. Way to show your partisan loyalty, Mike!) Other potential matchups include Gregoire v. Rossi for Governor and Goldmark v. Sutherland for Lands Commissioner.
Gregoire and Sutherland are the incumbents in each race.
Other incumbents who will likely seek reelection include: Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen (D), Secretary of State Sam Reed (R), Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler (D), State Auditor Brian Sonntag (D), Attorney General Rob McKenna (R). They'll all have challengers before long.
First, Senator Erik Poulsen (D-34) made it known that he is resigning at the end of September to take a job with the Washington Public Utility Districts Association as government relations director. Poulsen's replacement will be determined by the precinct committee officers of the 34th LD Democrats, who may propose three nominees to the King County Council, which must pick one of them.
The individual the council selects must run for election to keep the seat in 2008 (if he or she so chooses).
The 34th is heavily Democratic and whichever Democrat ultimately takes Poulsen's place will likely be able to hold the office for much longer.
One of the district's two representatives, Joe McDermott, says he is interested in moving to the Senate. The other, Eileen Cody, is not (in part probably because she would lose her seniority in the House).
If McDermott takes Poulsen's place, the Democratic PCOs of the 34th will also have to nominate temporary successors for him.
Meanwhile, in the 46th, a heavily Democratic LD in north Seattle, longtime Representative Jim McIntire says he won't seek reelection to the House in 2008 but will instead run for state treasurer. That sets up a potential Democratic primary in 2008 with candidates vying to succeed McIntire. The LD's chair, Scott White, is reportedly already in the race and securing endorsements for his bid.
With McIntire's decision to seek the office of state treasurer, we can add another possible pairing to the 2008 field. (The current treasurer, Democrat Mike Murphy, is supporting his Republican deputy for the office. Way to show your partisan loyalty, Mike!) Other potential matchups include Gregoire v. Rossi for Governor and Goldmark v. Sutherland for Lands Commissioner.
Gregoire and Sutherland are the incumbents in each race.
Other incumbents who will likely seek reelection include: Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen (D), Secretary of State Sam Reed (R), Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler (D), State Auditor Brian Sonntag (D), Attorney General Rob McKenna (R). They'll all have challengers before long.
