Gov. Lowry Forecasts Lack Of Job In His Future Governor Tells Democrat Shrimp Feed That He’s Still Proud To Be A Liberal
Take Gov. Mike Lowry away from the stage, give him some shrimp, a little corn on the cob and cole slaw, and then he’ll talk about his future as a private citizen.
The first-term Democrat who chose not to run again told The Associated Press on Sunday that he’s ready to fight for the same issues that he’s supported since he served 10 years in the U.S. House. When his term ends in January, he will be known as private citizen Lowry.
On stage before 600 people at the 15th annual shrimp feed, he referred to life after the governorship only as a time of unemployment.
“I doubt I can talk anyone into hiring me,” Lowry said.
He preferred to use the podium to emphasize the need to vote and to be proud.
“I don’t want this to be a reflection on any of our other candidates, but I’m a liberal and I’m proud of it,” Lowry said.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gary Locke, who is King County executive, had the same idea.
“We are proud to be Democrats,” Locke said to the cheering crowd. “They (Republicans) want to focus on labels, they don’t want to focus on issues.”
The atmosphere at the Daybreak Star Cultural Center was festive. People wore hard hats, straw hats, safari hats and baseball hats reading “Boot Newt.” Pins read “I want FDR again,” and “Clinton/Gore.”
Besides the food, people had their choice of Rainier beer from a keg, boxed wine and soft drinks.
Democratic state Chairman Paul Berendt said about $20,000 was raised for the state party.
Democrats attending included Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, Land Commissioner Jennifer Belcher, Sen. Patty Murray, Rep. Jim McDermott, 1st District candidate Jeff Coopersmith, and candidate Mike Murphy for state treasurer.
Lowry decided against running for another term in light of dismal poll ratings after he paid a settlement of $97,500 to a former public relations staff member who alleged he had sexually harassed her.
Among the crowd was Barb Giedt of Seattle, attending her third shrimp feed. She was afraid to brave the continuous crowd that surrounded Lowry all afternoon. She preferred to admire him from a few feet away.
“I think whatever he does, he’s going to have followers,” said the 56-year-old medical transcriptionist. Her future with Lowry?
“When I’m 60 I’ll go and hug him,” she said.
And then there was 16-year-old Ben Colton from Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma. A high school junior, he is taking a class in politics that requires him to volunteer for 15 hours of political work.
He spent a good majority of his time away from the day’s political gathering helping guests get their cars out of the mud alongside a Discovery Park roadway. Colton said he’s not sure about going into politics. He wants to be a lawyer.