Lowry Fields Calls From Citizens On Range Of Topics

Gov. Mike Lowry was quizzed by ordinary citizens Wednesday night about allegations of sexual harassment, his temper, and reports he has been pulled over for speeding at least three times.

Public broadcast viewers and listeners were invited to ask the Democratic governor any question they wanted - and they dished up quite a variety during the one-hour show that originated with KCTS-TV and KUOW radio in Seattle.

Besides the personal questions that have dogged the governor for several months, citizens asked about everything from slot machines and school vouchers to the merits of socialism and his plans for a re-election campaign. Thrown in for good measure were complaints and comments about the state bureaucracy and the federal government.

Lowry periodically does the live “Ask the Governor” phone-in show, but this was his first since a firestorm of publicity over the allegations by his former spokeswoman and other former aides that he sexually harassed them and displayed a temper that distressed some employees.

Several callers suggested Lowry was being treated to a different standard than average employers. The governor mildly defended himself, but readily agreed with his critics that he needs to do better and should set a good example.

“I was very disappointed in the allegations,” said Cathy in Olympia. “If that were my privately held company, you would have been terminated.”

She asked Lowry if the sexual harassment training he took last fall didn’t take. Lowry replied that it was effective, but that “I look forward to participating in more classes.”

He said an investigator (Seattle attorney Mary Alice Theiler) concluded that his actions did not meet the legal definition of sexual harassment, but he added: “I feel very bad that anyone ever felt uncomfortable. … I’m very concerned and I feel very bad.”

He agreed with TV host Barry Mitzman that the governor has no boss to impose sanctions, except the voters. He told a later caller that he’ll stand for re-election and believes the voters will give him another term.

Another caller, David in Seattle, asked Lowry why ordinary citizens should obey the speed limit when he sometimes doesn’t. Lowry, who was pulled over, but not ticketed, at least three times recently, apologized.

“The governor should always obey the law,” he said. “You have a right to expect that if it says 55, I should go 55.”