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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spin Control

Fackler enters race for state GOP chairman

Curt Fackler, former Spokane County Republican chairman, is joining the race for the state GOP chairmanship. Current chair Luke Esser wants to keep the job and at least two others from western Washington are interested.

In a letter sent out today, Fackler questions the effectiveness of the party's statewide election efforts over the last 10 years, noting that "the last three party charis have been Seattle area attorneys." Time for a change, he says, to someone who can recruit a broader range of candidates."

Fackler has run thrice, unsuccessfully, for state Insurance Commissioner, losing in the primary in 2008, 2004 and 2000. But because of this he says he understands the challenges of recruiting and running statewide.

As Spokane County chair, Fackler was able to work with the Libertarians and the more establishment wings of the party for the 2008 election. He could appeal to the Tea Party wing that might feel their favorite candidate for the U.S. Senate, Clint Didier, got the short shrift once leaders in the other Washington settled on Dino Rossi for the race.

Unknown at this point: Will party officials look askance at Fackler's decision to run as an independent in the 2008 insurance commissioner primary, or chalk it up to a willingness to try unusual tactics to knock off a Democratic incumbent?

State reorganization meeting is a week from Saturday.



Jim Camden
Jim Camden joined The Spokesman-Review in 1981 and retired in 2021. He is currently the political and state government correspondent covering Washington state.

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