June 09, 2006
The Futures Market: WASHINGTON: Boulevard Of Broken Dreams
What's the Hotline Futures Market? It's our exclusive look at the up-and-comers in every party in every state. You won't a list like this anywhere else. If you've missed a state, check out our archives.
Of all 50 states, none have seen more '03 stars rise and fall than WA. Half of the old guard have taken their shots, and while some came close -- witness the '04 GOP Gov candidate's loss by a margin of barely over 100 votes -- others fell flat. That doesn't phase both parties in WA today, however. GOPers are excited about opportunities in WA 01, WA 02 and WA 03, and Dems continue to lick their chops over WA 08. Also of note, this is the only state in the nation in which both parties mentioned that one of their up-and-comers wanted to be Pres. The highest an Evergreen Stater's ever gotten in Gov't? Ex-Speaker Tom Foley (D) and recently deceased ex-Sec. Transportation/ex-Sen. Brock Adams (D). Full list below.
[REID WILSON]
The stars we've been watching since '03:
- King Co. Councillor Jane Hague (R): "Nobody really knows the full story" behind her dropping out of a race against Rep. Jay Inslee (D) in WA 01 in '04, but "she's probably peaked."
- Ex-State Sen. Dino Rossi (R): "He's definitely running in '08" for Gov after losing the '04 election on the third recount. He's already meeting with advisors about the possible campaign.
- AG Rob McKenna (R): "I think Rob likes being" AG, says one source. He's still waiting on Rossi to make another bid for Gov. But, says another, "if the right winds blow, Rob could be a President."
- Rep. Cathy McMorris (R): A member of the State House when we met her, she won WA 05 in '04. "She has a bright future" after winning 60% in her first campaign. She's "phenomenal." "At some point, she'll be running statewide."
- Ex-WA GOP chair Chris Vance (R): Recently resigned his post to return to the private sector. Now with the Gallitan Group, a lobbying firm, he ran for Congress against Rep. Adam Smith (D) in WA 09 in '00. "If he has a future, it won't be for another 5, 10 years."
- Regional FEMA Dir. John Pennington (R): The former State Rep. is considered a strong candidate in the future. People "have certainly tried to talk him into" running for something else. Some believe he's thinking about taking on Rep. Brian Baird (D) in WA 03.
- Ex-tech exec./'04 WA 08 candidate Alex Alben (D): Back in private sector after losing the WA 08 primary in '04.
- Businessman Don Barbieri (D): Lost his '04 bid for WA 05 to now-Rep. Cathy McMorris (R). Despite being well-funded and receiving business support, he lost by 20 points, and while "he may make a comeback in the future," he's not running in '06.
- Ex-State Rep. Mike Cooper (D): Lost his '04 bid for State Lands Commis., but he's considering comebacks for State Sen or Snohomish Co. Council.
- State Rep. Jeanne Darneill (D): "People like her a lot." She's a potential candidate for Pierce Co. Exec. in '09.
- State Rep. Zach Hudgins (D): With "very strong labor and enviro credentials," he's a possible State Sen. candidate in '08. He's a guy with "a lot of opportunities."
- State Rep. John McCoy (D): The former Gov't Affairs dir. for the Tulalip Tribes, he has strong support in his district, but he may be past the age at which he can make a move up.
- State Rep. Tim Ornsby (D): A "fairly new" member, "after a couple of cycles he could challenge" Rep. Cathy McMorris (R) in WA 05. "A solid guy" who's "very thoughtful."
- Ex-State Rep. Laura Ruderman (D): After losing bids for State Dem chair and Sec/State, she's "looking around for her next opportunity."
And the stars to watch in the future:
- State Rep. Chris Strow (R): A former CoS to ex-Rep. Jack Metcalf (R) in WA 02, he's thinking about a future bid against Rep. Rick Larsen (D). "He's very ambitious, very intelligent, very political." Made "a lot of positive waves" in Olympia in his first two sessions.
- State Rep. Richard DeBolt (R): The House Min Leader was asked to run against Baird in WA 03 in '06, but demured. "If he chooses to, he could" make a bid in the future.
- Clark Co. Auditor Greg Kimsey (R): He too considered a WA 03 bid. "People really like him." "He'd be interesting."
- State Sen. Mark Schoesler (R): "When McMorris decides to run statewide, he's one of the leading contenders" for WA 05.
- State Sen. Luke Esser (R): Dems "are really going after him" in '06, but he's going to be a future force on the East Side of King Co. If Rep. Dave Reichert (R) moves up, Esser could take his seat.
- State Rep. Derek Kilmer (D): Running for State Sen. in '06, he's "very smart, very ambitious" and "has his sights set on higher office."
- Snohomish Co. Exec. Aaron Reardon (D): He's "always proved his detractors wrong" and is considering bids for Gov or Sen the first time a seat opens up. He's "a harder worker than people give him credit for." "That guy thinks he could be" pres.
- Seattle City Councilmember Sally Clark (D): A newly-appointed Seattle City Councilmember, she's seen as the beginning of the next generation of Seattle City Council. "She paid her dues, and she's now hitting the ground running."
- State Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D): "Really coming into his own." "People don't run for office at age 25 unless they have ambition."
Posted at 01:08 PM
Comments
Sorry, but what is kimerikas?
Jane.
sweeta-cy | 03.27.08 02:07 AM
 |
Sorry, but what is kimerikas?
Jane.
sweeta-cy | 03.27.08 02:07 AM
|
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