Will Lowry Run? He’s Not Telling Governor Says He Wants To Concentrate On Session And Will Decide By May
Gov. Mike Lowry said Friday he won’t announce his political plans before April or May - unusually late by modern campaign standards.
In a lengthy year-end interview with The Associated Press, the first-term Democratic governor dropped one good-sized hint that he may seek re-election, then retreated to the current bottom line that, “There’s no firm decision.”
After talking about the need for leaders who think beyond the next election and who are willing to speak out for what he called “The Stretch Generation,” the environment, kids and schools, Lowry indicated he doesn’t want to turn the office over to someone who will dismantle his programs.
“There are things I think are very important for the future of this state and I want to see that that attitude is here in this office,” he said.
For the next four months or so, Lowry said he has no intention of being either an announced candidate or a lame duck. Either would damage his ability to do the job of governor, particularly in the upcoming legislative session, he said.
“There’s no firm decision; I think it is the wrong time to make it,” Lowry said. “I used to think that from a campaign standpoint. I have forever said campaigns should be shorter. We announced for governor in March or April (of 1992). You really exhaust your resources and frankly the public gets tired of listening to it (if you begin too soon).
“As governor, I have an even stronger feeling, because I just think it is undeniable that once I answer that question about whether I’m running or not, it will affect my job as governor.
“If I say I am running, then everybody is (proclaiming) ‘Politics’ on everything and it’s very difficult for me not to do. We are then into the campaign mode.
“As an incumbent, you ought to put off the interference with the job I am paid to do as long as you can rationally do it.”
He said he will get through the 60-day legislative session, which adjourns no later than March 7, and then spend the rest of the month scrutinizing the bills for possible veto or signing.
That means April or May for a decision, he said.
Lowry said that would allow enough time to campaign. He already has drawn two challengers for the Democratic nomination in September: state Sen. Nita Rinehart of Seattle and former U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee of Bainbridge Island. At least five Republicans are lining up.
“I think May 1 is just as good as May 1 of the previous year,” Lowry said. “I don’t think it makes that much difference. I’m not going to raise much money … if I run.”
With a laugh, he added, “I’m trying to think of any special interests that are on my side.”
He said he has a current mailing list of about 13,000 supporters.
Lowry said he wants to devote full, undivided attention on the upcoming session. He had high praise for leadership of both houses - and both parties. He said his highest marks for the 1995 session go to Ballard and to then-Senate Majority Leader Marcus Gaspard, D-Puyallup, who has since left the Legislature. xxxx ACTIONS LOWRY SAYS HE’LL VETO: Lowry said he wants to devote full, undivided attention on the upcoming session. He said he’s sent some clear signals to the Legislature of actions he’s prepared to veto: A tax cut that is too deep or a budget that leaves too little reserves. Anti-abortion measures, including a parental notification requirement. Welfare reform that he deems as punitive. Efforts to “legalize discrimination” against gays and lesbians. Lowry said such bills would come out of the right wing of the House Republican caucus. But he said he has high hopes that House Speaker Clyde Ballard, R-East Wenatchee, will hold the troops in line.