Clear Shot for Dwight Pelz
Former King County Democratic Chairman Greg Rodriguez told me today that he’s dropping out of the race to succeed outgoing state chair Paul Berendt.
I think Rodriguez—who made a run at Berendt’s seat last year—was the only real competition for front-runner Dwight Pelz.
Others going for the seat are former state rep and failed secretary of state candidate, Laura Ruderman & former state supreme court justice, Phil Talmadge.
Pelz, an outgoing K.C. Council Member, is a loud-mouthed partisan brawler, and I think he captures the mood of the Democratic Party right now. Democrats want to play mean and loud—just as the Republicans have been doing for years. Dwight, a Deaniac, is sure to put an emphasis on media and communications.
That may sound enticing, especially in the wake of Berendt’s lacking media presence. (Berendt’s Republican counterpart, sassy Chris Vance, has been much better at dishing the catchy sound bites and framing the debate.) But keep this in mind: Washington is the only West Coast state where both senate seats, the governor’s mansion, and the state house are controlled by the Democrats. Berendt had game when it came to campaign.
Pelz should be a welcome change in the media wars, but ultimately it’s about the ground game.
Feit,
From what I hear, it's Pelz or Talmadge, who is also a Seattle liberal adored by the grass roots.