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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Campaign ‘96

Compiled By Jim Camden From Staf

A nod from labor

A Democrat who isn’t yet officially running for Congress picked up a key endorsement last weekend. Former Washington Wheatgrowers President Judy Olson of Garfield, who is still technically in the “exploring” phase of her campaign, got the endorsement from the state Labor Council. That’s a blow - there’s some dispute over how big - to the campaign of another Democrat, Sue Kaun of Spokane, in the race to challenge Republican Rep. George Nethercutt in November … Olson doesn’t expect to make a formal campaign announcement before June, but already has the endorsement from labor plus another from the state Women’s Political Caucus. Campaign contributions usually follow endorsements.

Also in labor’s good graces

Who is Dan Leahy and how did he win the endorsement of the State Labor Council? He’s a candidate for state schools superintendent, has good labor connections through his job as director of the Labor Center at Evergreen State College … That might have been enough, but Leahy apparently had a kicker. He told delegates at the Seattle convention that kids should learn labor history in school.

Moving on

Eric Skaggs, who went from George Nethercutt’s campaign to his congressional office, is back campaigning again - but not for Nethercutt this time. He signed on with Republican state Sen. John Moyer’s re-election campaign … Skaggs worked as a legislative aide, for Jim West, before the Nethercutt race. His job change is a sign of just how tough the Moyer race against Democratic state Rep. Lisa Brown of Spokane’s 3rd District Legislative race is likely to be. So much for the speculation in certain Democratic circles that Moyer wouldn’t run for re-election.

Told ya so

An update on last week’s rumor: Valley Republican activist Kate McCaslin has a news conference scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday morning to announce she is running for county commissioner against incumbent Steve Hasson. It’s at the county fairgrounds in the main exhibit building.

Web site of the week

Although most members of Congress have set up web sites and e-mail addresses, the real scoop on what your delegation is doing is available from Congressional Quarterly … Look for it at http://www.voter96.cqalert.com/, or type Congressional Quarterly voter 96 in your favorite search engine.

Campaign calendar

Tuesday: Special election for certain school districts. In Spokane County, Liberty School District is voting by mail ballots.

May 25-26: United We Stand Washington state convention in East Wenatchee.

May 31-June 1: Washington state Republican Convention, Bellevue.

June 1: Washington state Democratic Convention, Seattle.

June 29-July 6: Nominating conventions for minor party and independent candidates.

, DataTimes MEMO: Campaign ‘96 is published regularly during campaign season, and is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports. To submit information on a political event or a question you think the candidates should answer, write us c/o The Spokesman-Review, Box 2160, Spokane, Wash., 99210. Or e-mail to jimc@spokesman.com. Or fax to (509) 459-5482. Or call Cityline at 458-8800 on a Touch-Tone telephone, then press 9893 to leave a message.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports

Campaign ‘96 is published regularly during campaign season, and is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports. To submit information on a political event or a question you think the candidates should answer, write us c/o The Spokesman-Review, Box 2160, Spokane, Wash., 99210. Or e-mail to jimc@spokesman.com. Or fax to (509) 459-5482. Or call Cityline at 458-8800 on a Touch-Tone telephone, then press 9893 to leave a message.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports