Lowry: Will Run Again Despite Allegations Governor Refused To Enter Debate Over Sex Harassment Probe

Gov. Mike Lowry said Tuesday that his re-election bid won’t be deterred by allegations of sexual harassment, and that he and his wife, Mary, are “as solid as can be” in the belief he did nothing wrong.

The governor distanced himself from criticism that his staff picked a political supporter, Seattle attorney Mary Alice Theiler, to do an outside investigation into the claims.

Lowry’s former deputy press secretary, Susanne Albright, has not been interviewed about her version of events and, indeed, has not decided whether to cooperate with the investigator, said her lawyer, Larry Finegold.

He and other critics say the only way to assure an impartial probe is to have someone other than the governor’s staff do the appointing.

Lowry refused to be drawn into the dispute.

“I just want the facts,” he said in an interview Monday, adding the probe “goes way beyond anything that is required. But it is still the right thing to do. You’ve got to have those (sexual harassment) policies.”

Lowry appeared to support Theiler’s appointment and the process his top aides are taking to deal with Albright’s allegations. But when asked about complaints on both the method of appointment and the fact Theiler has donated to his campaign fund, he indicated he was leaving decisions about the review to others.

“It was all set up by other people,” he said. “It is very important for that whole purpose (of preserving the integrity of the investigation) that I not be involved in that.”

Asked if he’ll run for re-election, he looked stunned at the question and said “Yes! Of course.”

He said his wife of 26 years is standing by him.

“The reason Mary and I are as solid as can be on this is we know … I didn’t do anything inappropriate,” he said.

Lowry said he never had any indication that Albright had any problem with his conduct.

Asked if he’s distressed by the accusations, Lowry said he’s on the job every day and not letting it divert him.

He said he remains baffled by Albright’s stillunspecified allegations that he repeatedly sexually harassed her and engaged in what her lawyer calls unwanted physical contact.

“I have never done anything inappropriate,” he said. “I have never given any indication.” Asked if he might have done something that could be misconstrued, he started to answer, saying “I have not …” and then stopped in mid-sentence.

His deputy staff director, Lorraine Hine, said the governor’s office has no intention of rescinding Theiler’s appointment.

“We have made the appointment and we aren’t looking at it,” she said.

Finegold is critical of both the governor’s office doing the selection of the investigator, and the person they chose. The selection has no credibility unless a disinterested party, such as the Supreme Court chief justice, does the appointing, he said.

He also noted that Theiler has contributed small amounts to Lowry’s campaign fund, about $100 over three years. That raises questions about her objectivity, he said.

Hine dismissed that concern, saying Theiler was a consensus choice of the people she asked for advice on an appointee.