OLYMPIA — ChangMook Sohn, the state’s chief economist for more than two decades, on Monday announced his bid for state treasurer.
Sohn retired Friday from his nonpartisan post as director of the state Revenue Forecast Council, and wasted no time jumping into the Democratic primary to become the state’s banker.
Sohn has spent his entire career as a top government economist in New York, Illinois, Oregon and, for the last 23 years, Washington state.
He told the Associated Press that the prospect of a Korean-born candidate winning statewide office is thrilling to Asian-Americans across the state and to his broad network of friends in South Korea.
Sohn, 63, said the bid for office is “brand new for me. It is a daunting task for sure.”
Democratic incumbent Mike Murphy is stepping down and backing his Republican deputy, Allan Martin, the former treasurer of Chelan County.
Sohn is the second major Democrat to enter the primary. State Rep. Jim McIntire of Seattle chairman of the state forecast panel and former House Finance Committee chairman, is running.
The primary is in August; the general election is in November. The four-year term carries a salary of $116,950 a year.
Sohn said Gov. Chris Gregoire plans to stay neutral in the primary. But his Web site lists endorsements by former Gov. Gary Locke; former Treasurer Dan Grimm; former Deputy Treasurer Lyle Jacobsen; former Washington State University President Sam Smith; lawmakers and former lawmakers from both parties; and leaders form business, higher education and health care.
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