Sonntag Won’t Run For Governor, Will Seek Another Term As Auditor

State Auditor Brian Sonntag, a radio talk-show regular and a populist Democrat who had been under pressure from labor to run for governor, said Monday he will seek re-election instead.

Seattle Mayor Norm Rice is expected to announce his plans later this week as the Democratic field begins to firm up after Gov. Mike Lowry’s announcement last month that he’ll step down after a single term.

Rice would become the fourth King County Democrat to enter the race.

Sonntag supporters had said the auditor’s base in Tacoma and Pierce County could have given him the edge in a divided primary.

Sonntag acknowledged that, and said labor and other key Democratic groups had urged him to step forward.

He said he also received encouragement from people who know him from being a host or guest on Seattle radio station KVI.

But he said his heart wasn’t in it.

“I didn’t have the fire in the belly for this governor’s race - at least this year,” he said in an interview. “But I am extremely enthused about being auditor. It is a very good fit for me.”

Sonntag, 44, served as Pierce County’s auditor until he was elected to the state post in 1992.