Gop Congresswoman Crosses State To Explore Senatorial Waters Jennifer Dunn Considers Run For Murray’s Seat

Thu., Feb. 20, 1997

By Jim Camden jimc@spokesman.com (509) 879-7461

There aren’t many farmers in Jennifer Dunn’s suburban Seattle district, and the ones that are there grow daffodils and trees, not wheat and barley.

So why did the state’s senior Republican in the House of Representatives spend an hour talking with the Eastern Washington farm groups Wednesday morning and another hour lunching with the Valley Chamber of Commerce?

Possibly because Dunn is considering a run for the U.S. Senate.

“I haven’t made a decision on the Senate race, although I do believe we should replace Patty Murray,” Dunn said.

“I’m looking for a compelling reason to make the switch.”

Murray, a first-term Democrat, is up for re-election next year.

In her speech, Dunn sounded some broad themes that resonate with Eastern Washington Republicans: The capital gains tax should be reduced. If the government wants to allow fires in the national forests to improve environmental health, it should also allow salvage logging of damaged trees. Foreign trade should emphasize fairness.

“Why aren’t they allowing our wheat into China? Why aren’t they allowing our wine into Chile?” she asked the businessmen and women gathered for the luncheon.

But Dunn clearly was vacillating on whether to get into a race that could cost as much as $6 million. She even spent part of her time in front of the Valley Chamber suggesting that U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt, who shared the podium with her, would make a great candidate.

At one point, the two seemed to be doing their best to nudge the other into the race.

“If I don’t run, I hope you will dog this fellow until he agrees to run,” Dunn said.

“I hope she runs, too,” said Nethercutt, who has been urged by GOP leaders to run against Murray if Dunn won’t.

In an interview before meeting with some of the local GOP’s top fund-raisers, Dunn said she expects to make a decision by June 1.

She’s not yet sure she wants to give up a seat on the Ways and Means Committee, which writes the nation’s tax laws, and a spot in the House GOP leadership to try to become a junior member of the Senate, she said.

“It would be a clout decision,” she said. “They’ve got the seniority system in the Senate. We’ve got a meritocracy in the House.” , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: JENNIFER DUNN Age: 55. Home: Bellevue. Divorced, two adult sons. Resume: Bachelor’s degree, Stanford University, 1963; former systems engineer for IBM; Republican state chairwoman, 1981-92; member U.S. House of Representatives, 1993-present. Highlights: Dunn guided the state Republican Party through fractious periods of the 1980s. A fiscal conservative, she was moderate on abortion during a time when Christian conservatives were gaining power. She was appointed to the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women by President Reagan in 1984. She now represents the 8th Congressional District, which consists of suburban King and Pierce counties. She is only the fifth woman in history to serve on the House Ways and Means Committee, which writes tax laws, and also serves on the Oversight Committee.

This sidebar appeared with the story: JENNIFER DUNN Age: 55. Home: Bellevue. Divorced, two adult sons. Resume: Bachelor’s degree, Stanford University, 1963; former systems engineer for IBM; Republican state chairwoman, 1981-92; member U.S. House of Representatives, 1993-present. Highlights: Dunn guided the state Republican Party through fractious periods of the 1980s. A fiscal conservative, she was moderate on abortion during a time when Christian conservatives were gaining power. She was appointed to the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women by President Reagan in 1984. She now represents the 8th Congressional District, which consists of suburban King and Pierce counties. She is only the fifth woman in history to serve on the House Ways and Means Committee, which writes tax laws, and also serves on the Oversight Committee.