Foreman Gets Boost Toward Gop Post U.S. Rep. Linda Smith Backs Him, Undercutting Tate’s Candidacy

U.S. Rep. Linda Smith, a potential Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in 1998, on Monday endorsed state House Majority Leader Dale Foreman for the state GOP chairmanship.

The move undercuts a potential bid for the post by a congressional colleague, Randy Tate of Puyallup. Tate, the only member of the state’s U.S. House delegation who lost in last month’s election, has worked closely with Smith in Congress and on state spending-limit initiatives in 1993.

Foreman had planned to run for the Senate seat now held by Democratic Sen. Patty Murray before he decided in favor of seeking the party chairmanship being vacated by Ken Eikenberry. Foreman’s departure makes it easier for Smith to win the Senate nomination if she decides to run.

U.S. Rep. Jennifer Dunn of the 8th District also has been mentioned for the Senate race.

Smith, vacationing after her narrow reelection from the 3rd District in southwest Washington, said in a letter to Foreman that his election “would provide the proven leadership, public office experience, statewide perspective and team-building skills that can pull us together at a very important time in our state party’s history.”

She praised Foreman for his work in the Legislature to protect two initiatives she sponsored, spending-limit Initiative 601 and campaign-finance limit Initiative 134. She also noted that after Ellen Craswell narrowly defeated him for the GOP nomination for governor in September, he stumped the state on her behalf.

Smith said she will contact newly elected state committee members, a man and a woman from each county, later this month to urge the Wenatchee Republican’s election at a meeting in Bellevue on Jan. 25.

Foreman, a Harvard-educated attorney and fruit grower, called her endorsement “a very big boost in my campaign to be state party chairman. Linda Smith is widely respected, loved even, by Republican activists across the state.”

He stopped just short of predicting his election next month, saying he didn’t want to be presumptuous.

Tate has not officially announced a bid for the party post, but sent out a letter to GOP leaders declaring his interest. He was on vacation Monday and not returning phone calls.

Dave Welch, chairman of the state Christian Coalition, also had expressed interest in the post, but is not expected to run.

Smith’s spokesman, Stephen Daniels-Brown, said she didn’t talk with Tate or other potential candidates before making her decision.

“It is absolutely nothing against Randy; she just feels Foreman provides the best opportunity to bring the party closer together. His Eastern Washington ties will be vital,” Daniels-Brown said.