Dunn Loses Vote, Keeps Stature

Rep. Jennifer Dunn’s political career is by no means done after she lost her bid to become House majority leader, her supporters say.

“The long-term strategy for the Republicans needs to include Jennifer Dunn in a high visibility role,” Washington state GOP chairman Dale Foreman said.

But Dunn’s failed gambit for the No. 2 job leaves her without a top House Republican leadership post.

When Dunn was in the No. 5 post as GOP conference vice chairwoman, some spoke of her as possibly becoming the first female speaker. But she had to leave that job to run for majority leader.

Dunn said that while she’s disappointed, she has no regrets. “We’ve broken yet another glass ceiling,” she said. “This is the first time ever a woman has run for a top leadership position.”

Dunn had hoped to become the first female majority leader by riding a wave of dissatisfaction with House Majority Leader Dick Armey, but was dropped from the race after she finished third on the second ballot, receiving 49 votes from the 223-member GOP caucus.

Armey won the race in the third ballot, topping Rep. Steve Largent, the former Seattle Seahawk, 127-95.

U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt of Spokane said he backed Dunn in the voting for majority leader, and was disappointed she didn’t win. But he believes Dunn has enhanced her stature in the caucus and received good national publicity, despite the loss.

He said he had hoped Dunn would provide a regional perspective to the GOP leadership on issues important to the Northwest. But Nethercutt said he’s talked frequently with speaker-to-be Livingston and considers him “a willing ally on Western issues, even though he’s not from the West.” Dunn’s loss doesn’t diminish her standing, said Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., who led her campaign effort.

“There are members who have done a great deal without being in leadership,” including Newt Gingrich, before he became speaker, Hastings said.

Dunn still has a seat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, which gives her sway over marquee issues such as taxes, health care, Social Security, trade and welfare reform. She also plans to lead a “national campaign” to attract women to the GOP.

And while she isn’t talking about a specific job, she hasn’t foreclosed the possibility of some day running for statewide or national office.

“The party needs her,” said Phil Bond, Dunn’s former chief of staff. “You have not seen or heard the last of her.”