King County Exec Gary Locke Runs For Governor

King County Executive Gary Locke announced Monday he is joining the race for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Locke says he made the decision at the urging of friends and supporters only after Gov. Mike Lowry announced last week he would not seek re-election to a second term.

Locke becomes the third Democrat to join the race. State Sen. Nita Rinehart and former Congressman Jay Inslee are also seeking the Democratic nomination.

Seattle Mayor Norm Rice was also thought to be considering a bid.

Locke, 46, said he presumes that Rice and possibly others will enter the Democratic primary, but said he thinks he has the best combination of state and local experience.

Rice “is in the process of considering whether or not to run for governor,” spokesman Mark Murray said.

“My leadership experience in Olympia (as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee) and my role as King County executive have prepared me well to lead our state,” Locke told a crowded news conference.

“Washington state is at a crossroads,” he said. “The challenges of cutbacks in federally funded programs, reducing the size and cost of state government, while making our citizens competitive in a global economy, all call for the kind of leadership, management and broad vision I have developed in my years of service both at the state level and more recently at the local level.”

He said he would stress environmental issues, education, transportation, work training and abortion rights in his campaign.

Locke is a second-generation Chinese-American. His father, Jimmy, and his mother, Julie, who flanked him at the news conference, were born in China. His grandfather once worked as a house boy near the state Capitol and later brought his family to the United States.

Locke served 11 years in the state Legislature before winning the top government post in the state’s largest county in 1993. He has been a central player in trying to force the Seattle Seahawks to honor their contract in the Kingdome.

“I have a lot of respect for Gary Locke, but Gary’s decision will not affect my decision one way or the other,” Rice said after Locke’s announcement.

“I’m not looking at this on the basis of who else is running. I’m looking at this decision on the basis of the kind of leadership I can provide for this state.”

Rice has been mayor for six years, Murray said. “I think he wants to talk with his family a little more and consider the projects he still has under way as mayor.”

If Rice decides to enter the governor’s race, “there’ll be plenty of time,” Murray said.