Election Center
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GOP Senate field still wide
Dino Rossi’s long-expected entrance into the U.S. Senate race did not prompt a mass exodus by other Republican candidates Wednesday. Several said they welcomed competition with the former state senator who has been weighing the race for months. Rossi, who announced his candidacy on the Internet early Wednesday, has statewide name recognition from two runs for governor and enters the race with the support of top Senate Republicans. But at least five active GOP candidates said they’ll stick in the race.
Rossi plans Wednesday announcement on Senate race
Republican Dino Rossi says he will release an online video announcement on his plans for the U.S. Senate race in Washington state.
In primaries, voters snub establishment
WASHINGTON – Party-switching Sen. Arlen Specter fell to a younger and far less experienced rival in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary, and political novice Rand Paul rode support from tea party activists to a Republican rout in Kentucky on Tuesday, the latest jolts to the political establishment in a tumultuous midterm election season. In another race with national significance, Democrat Mark Critz won a special House election to fill out the term of the late Democratic Rep. John Murtha in southwestern Pennsylvania. The two political parties spent roughly $1 million apiece hoping to sway the outcome there, and highlighted the contest as a possible bellwether for the fall when all 435 House seats will be on the ballot.
GOP Senate candidate gets farm aid
SEATTLE – Washington GOP Senate hopeful Clint Didier is campaigning against big government, but he has taken government aid for his farm near Pasco. The Seattle Times reports he has received nearly $273,000 in farm subsidies since 1995. The figure comes from the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit critical of the programs.
Billig nominee for Wood’s seat
Democrats have selected Andy Billig, who is club president of the Spokane Indians, to serve as the nominee for state representative from the 3rd Legislative District.
Plenty of jabs in Idaho debate
BOISE – Republican U.S. House hopeful Raul Labrador came out swinging at a debate Tuesday, criticizing opponent Vaughn Ward for his lack of political experience and for wavering on earmarks and other issues. Ward, a U.S. Marine and former John McCain aide, countered that he had taken steps to correct mistakes on the campaign trail, jabbed at Labrador’s stance on immigration reform and stressed the need for more veterans in Congress, not “status quo” politicians.
Ward campaign discloses more assets
BOISE – Republican U.S. House hopeful Vaughn Ward on Tuesday released a new U.S. House financial disclosure detailing about $110,000 worth of family assets he hadn’t included in a similar report last year. U.S. House candidates and members must disclose most assets, including from spouses, worth more than $1,000.
Income tax initiative to include same-sex partners
Supporters of an initiative campaign to tax the earnings of couples making more than $400,000 annually want to make sure the state’s domestic partners are taxed at the same rate as married couples.
Tea party in the park
There may be plenty of disagreement in political rallies of thousands, but Oakesdale resident Ken Hanson’s opinion on taxes is one that was nearly universal at Thursday’s Tea Party gathering in Spokane. “As the government continues to increase taxes and put more and more regulations on us, it’s impossible for us to prosper,” said Hanson, a farmer and owner of an irrigation supply business who brought his sons to the event.
Tea supporters turn out for a party
There may be plenty of disagreement in political rallies of thousands, but Oakesdale resident Ken Hanson’s opinion on taxes is one that was nearly universal at Thursday’s Tea Party gathering in Spokane.
Sandpoint woman represents best face of tea party movement
Pam Stout is not what you might expect from the most famous tea partier in the land. She talks proudly of helping people through a couple social programs she worked for in California. She says it would be “insane” to eliminate government programs and services. She’s even got a beef with Fox News.
Democrats surprisingly uneasy about Murray
OLYMPIA – Democrats may be paying Dino Rossi the ultimate compliment. He is not a candidate against Patty Murray – not yet, anyway, and possibly not ever – but they are going after him hammer and tong. Or more accurately, Web site and Twitter. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has worked diligently to trash Rossi ever since his name surfaced as a measurable marker against Murray in some GOP polls. They may be taking these polls more seriously than Rossi himself, who appears content to let folks speculate by uttering the overused “never say never” line to questions about a run.
Spouse of prosecutor’s race donor facing charges
A candidate for Spokane County prosecutor has accepted a $500 campaign contribution from the wife of a man being prosecuted by the office he wants to oversee. Records show that Republican prosecuting attorney candidate Dave Stevens accepted the donation in February and has kept the money despite knowing that the contributor’s husband, David Elton, faces three counts of felony harassment.
Center for Justice loses lawyer
Breean Beggs, the self-described chief catalyst for the public interest law firm Center for Justice, announced his resignation Monday, citing both fewer financial resources at the firm and aspirations for a future run at public office. Beggs, 47, quickly said he has no public office in mind, especially the already contentious race for Spokane County prosecutor.
Weighing in
The 2010 election is still nearly nine months away but the early posturing in the race for Spokane County prosecutor brought a flurry of reaction from readers, with some calling for incumbent Steve Tucker’s resignation over the firing of one of his deputies and ballot box rival Dave Stevens and others suggesting anyone who bad-mouths the boss should expect dismissal. Here’s a sampling of comments posted at www.spokesman.com. TrueGOP: Tucker is such an absent-minded individual. Does he not realize that this decision of his just proved to Spokane County that David Stevens was correct?
Prosecutor challenger fired
Spokane County Prosecutor Steve Tucker fired one of his election rivals Wednesday in a move his opponent immediately labeled political retaliation. Tucker met with Deputy Prosecutor Dave Stevens early in the day and gave him a choice of remaining on unpaid leave until the August 17 primary election or termination, after Stevens announced earlier this month his intention to challenge Tucker. Stevens chose termination, Tucker said.
Spokane prosecutor says firing ‘a management decision’
Spokane County Prosecutor Steve Tucker fired one of his election rivals Wednesday in a move his opponent immediately labeled political retaliation.
Democrat joins prosecutor race
A Democrat is joining the race for Spokane County prosecutor. Longtime local attorney Frank Malone is officially launching his bid to challenge Prosecutor Steve Tucker today. Meanwhile, Tucker is scheduled to meet today with Deputy Prosecutor Dave Stevens, who was suspended earlier this month after Stevens announced his own bid to run for prosecutor.