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Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Queueing Up for the State House

posted by on September 5 at 11:50 AM

With Democratic state house Rep. Jim McIntire (D-46) announcing he’s not running for reelection (he’s running for state treasurer instead) and Democratic state Senator Erik Poulsen (D-34) leaving the Senate to lobby for public utilities, a number of hopefuls are lining up to get a seat in Olympia.

Poulsen’s West Seattle Senate seat is likely to go, through the appointment process, to 34th District Democratic Rep. Joe McDermott. The other 34th District Rep., Eileen Cody, is not interested in the senate seat—in part because she has a powerful position in the state House, chairing the health care committee.

So, there’s going to be a queue for McDermott’s house seat (also done by appointment.)

Names I’ve heard for that house seat are:

1) Tania Maria Rosario, organizer for the Senate Democrats and former SEIU organizer.

2) Tim Nuse, a Starbucks exec who works on environmental and sustainability issues.

3) Jack Block, Jr., the retiring Burien City Council member who just lost a bid for the Port of Seattle.

4) Irene Stewart, the retiring school board member from West Seattle.

5) Sarah Earl, a Democratic activist.

6) Sharon Nelson, KC Council Dow Constantine staffer

7) Lucy Karkowiak, Burien City Council Member

8) Toni Lysen, former 34 District State House Rep.

As for replacing Jim McIntire in the 46th District: As ECB reported yesterday, District Chair Scott White has thrown his hat into the ring. Since McIntire plans to finish his term, he will be replaced through an election rather than an appointment process.

Whoever gets Poulsen’s Senate seat and whoever gets McDermott’s House seat (assuming McDermott takes over for Poulsen) will have to stand for election in 2008.

RSS icon Comments

1

Should be a lot of fun to watch! Especially for those of us who went through last year's six-way primary in the 43rd.

Last night at DrinkingLiberally, we briefly ruminated about the lessons that the 34th and 46th will take from our 2006 primary. Some thought that the take-away would be that the large number of candidates made the choice difficult. Others noted that it took just 24% of the vote to win. All hoped the respectful and high-minded campaign of 2006 would be the model for both LDs in 2008.

Posted by N in Seattle | September 5, 2007 12:50 PM
2

What about the current Chair of the 34th District Democrats? How about the other Executive Board members? Any of them interested?

Posted by Corliss | September 5, 2007 2:02 PM
3

Ivan in Olympia???

*SNORT*

Posted by N in Seattle | September 5, 2007 2:12 PM
4

@2:

All of the possible candidates mentioned are current or former officers of the 34th District Democrats.

As an active member myself, here are a few observations: Sarah Earl and Tim Nuse have worked closely together on many things, not least the wildly successful voter registration and turnout effort in 2004. They're friends, and I doubt we'd see them run against each other.

When the news broke yesterday, I spoke with a friend and former chair in another district who also mentioned Tania Maria. She's a likely candidate, and a prominent name within the Party, which is all that matters, since whoever wins the appointment will almost certainly prevail in 2010.

Toni Lysen will almost certainly enter the race if she feels that victory is probable. For those who don't know, Lysen won the appointment to the House seat vacated in the shakeup following Greg Nickels' election as Mayor in 2001 (Dow Constantine to Greg's seat, Poulsen from the House to Constantine's Senate seat). She couldn't keep the seat, however, because Eileen Cody was redistricted from the 11th to the 34th, and Lysen couldn't have won if she had bothered to fight, which she didn't.

Stewart would also be a strong candidate. She's been active in the Party for decades (including Vice Chair of the 34th Dems in the late 90s), and would bring serious gravitas on human services and education. If she ran, she'd almost certainly win a spot on the District's list of three for the KCDCC. That said, I hear she's not interested.

Lucy Karkowiak, Sharon Nelson, and Jack Block, Jr. might make good representatives, but I doubt they would prevail in a race with the others. Block couldn't get the KCDCC endorsement for Port Commission, so I doubt he could get the nod for legislator.

Finally, to answer your question: I have no idea if Ivan wants the seat. I suspect that he's read this post, or he will shortly. He's brought the District out of Dark Ages in just over two years, and for that reason I'd like to see him stay as Chair. I don't want the Chair to hold public office simultaneously.

Posted by Tyler | September 5, 2007 4:25 PM
5

Sarah's pretty good.

I miss working with Erik back in the day at PEMCO.

Posted by Will in Seattle | September 5, 2007 4:34 PM
6

Scott White has been an outstanding chair for us in the 46th. His leadership and fair approach to running the district has been a true asset to the organization over the past several years.

Posted by North Seattle Dem | September 5, 2007 5:17 PM
7

I second Tyler on Tania Maria. Yes, she is a prominent person in the party, very respected. She has good relationships with many public officials and key party activists. From her knowledge from working with unions to what she's done for the Latino Vote Project ...in my opinon, she's the most viable candidate based on having actual experience.

Posted by SupportTania | September 6, 2007 12:08 PM
8

I've been encouraged to put my name forward for the would-be open 34th House seat. I've worked in the public policy arena for nearly 20 years including state legislative staff, non-profit coalition building and municipal government mainly in the areas of transportation and land use. I would work hard to ensure the state plays an appropriate role in funding transit solutions in our area. I am equally committed to addressing our region's housing affordability crisis--I believe the state has a greater to play. And in the 34th, we have some innovative housing models that I believe have statewide applicability. All this said, there's some fantastic folks stepping up--I'm happy to be part of the process going forward!

Posted by Kim Becklund | September 6, 2007 6:22 PM
9

@7:

I should make it clear that, while Party connections will most likely shape the contest, I don't personally think they should be the basis for it. People with demonstrated talent in the public policy arena should be the ones considered.

Someone I spoke with mentioned Paul Fischburg as someone she was excited about. He is a founder and was the leader of the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association for many years, and he did (and does) amazing work.

Posted by Tyler | September 6, 2007 7:32 PM
10

Sharon Nelson, Sharon Nelson, Sharon Nelson, Sharon Nelson, Sharon Nelson, Sharon Nelson, Sharon Nelson, Sharon Nelson, Sharon Nelson ROCKS!

Thanks, I feel much better now.

Posted by J.R. | September 7, 2007 2:29 PM

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