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

Spin Control

Official betting on Seahawks has begun

As is apparently required of elected officials who represent areas with successful professional sports teams, Washington politicians have begun the ritual betting on the Seahawks as they prepare to play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell have a bet with fellow Democratic Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken. If the Seahawks win, Murray and Cantwell get some walleye (a freshwater fish big in the northern Midwest) and Caribou Coffee. If they lose, Klobuchar and Franken get salmon and Starbucks coffee. (It may be a bit churlish, but they can get Starbucks almost anywhere; seems like there are some local roasters who might be a more interesting bet.)

Secretary of State Kim Wyman has a more risky bet with her Minnesota counterpart Steve Simon. If Seattle wins, Simon will have to wear a Seahawks' jersey and bring local Minnesota products to the National Association of Secretaries of State conference in February. If Minnesota wins, Wyman will have to wear a Vikings jersey and show up with some wine, apples and smoked salmon from Washington.

If the Hawks win, expect another round of betting, with higher "stakes" with each successive week.



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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