Published: Sunday, June 13, 2010
Five races where Democrats face big fights
In a dangerous year for incumbent Democrats, here are five races we’ll be reading, tweeting and talking about for the next five months.
Murray vs. the World: Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., may prefer combat boots to tennis shoes this time out. Republican Dino Rossi’s late arrival recalibrated the campaign, and national GOP forces are enthused at prospects of denying Washington’s first female senator a fourth term. Rossi is known to voters and he’s proved he can raise enough dough to compete through November. Clint Didier is the wild card. He’s got Sarah Palin on his side, and she could be a difference-maker in a low-turnout primary. Didier is not intimidated and his soldiers are loyal. Many a Republican heart will be torn between the practical choice of Rossi and the principled choice of Didier.
Rematch for Congress: Ten years ago, Democrat Rick Larsen narrowly defeated Republican John Koster for a seat in Congress. Now comes the rematch. Larsen is funded, organized and anticipating a dogfight. To pull off the upset, Koster will need a strong push from political winds seemingly blowing the GOP way. His message of fiscal and social conservatism will resonate with some, but he’ll need more money and volunteers to make sure it gets heard in a congressional district sprawling through six counties.
Grudge match: Looking for nasty this election season? You’ll find it in the heart of Snohomish County where state Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, is under fire from the same two people he defeated in 2006. Republican Dave Schmidt, who lost the seat to Hobbs and moved back into the district for this race. Democrat Lillian Kaufer ended her run against Republican Rep. Mike Hope in order to challenge Hobbs. Kaufer criticizes Hobbs as too moderate, while Schmidt calls him too liberal. With Republican Ryan Ferrie also in the mix, you have ingredients for an explosive primary and general election.
Tea party charm: Rep. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, has faced an opponent longer than most, if not all, state lawmakers. Elizabeth Scott of Edmonds declared her candidacy at a tea party rally in 2009 and has been campaigning ever since. She’s looking to translate the energy of that movement and the voting record of the incumbent into victory. Liias can raise money and run a smart campaign. In a district that leans Democratic, he’ll find audiences more understanding — and even welcoming — of his votes for new and higher taxes to balance the state budget.
Upset special: Sen. Jean Berkey, D-Everett, isn’t known as a tireless campaigner. If she wants another term in the 38th Legislative District, she’ll need to become one. She faces two foes, Rod Rieger from the conservative right and Nick Harper — a fellow Democrat — from the liberal left. Harper seems the bigger threat. He’s got political friends including Larsen and state Reps. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, and John McCoy, D-Tulalip. He’s hired noted Democrat strategist Christian Sinderman, who once worked for Berkey. And, union members, environmentalists and progressives who recruited Harper into the race should be ready to help. How Berkey responds in the next few weeks could foretell whether she’ll still have a seat in the Legislature next year.
Political reporter Jerry Cornfield’s blog, The Petri Dish, is at www.heraldnet.com. Contact him at 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
Murray vs. the World: Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., may prefer combat boots to tennis shoes this time out. Republican Dino Rossi’s late arrival recalibrated the campaign, and national GOP forces are enthused at prospects of denying Washington’s first female senator a fourth term. Rossi is known to voters and he’s proved he can raise enough dough to compete through November. Clint Didier is the wild card. He’s got Sarah Palin on his side, and she could be a difference-maker in a low-turnout primary. Didier is not intimidated and his soldiers are loyal. Many a Republican heart will be torn between the practical choice of Rossi and the principled choice of Didier.
Rematch for Congress: Ten years ago, Democrat Rick Larsen narrowly defeated Republican John Koster for a seat in Congress. Now comes the rematch. Larsen is funded, organized and anticipating a dogfight. To pull off the upset, Koster will need a strong push from political winds seemingly blowing the GOP way. His message of fiscal and social conservatism will resonate with some, but he’ll need more money and volunteers to make sure it gets heard in a congressional district sprawling through six counties.
Grudge match: Looking for nasty this election season? You’ll find it in the heart of Snohomish County where state Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, is under fire from the same two people he defeated in 2006. Republican Dave Schmidt, who lost the seat to Hobbs and moved back into the district for this race. Democrat Lillian Kaufer ended her run against Republican Rep. Mike Hope in order to challenge Hobbs. Kaufer criticizes Hobbs as too moderate, while Schmidt calls him too liberal. With Republican Ryan Ferrie also in the mix, you have ingredients for an explosive primary and general election.
Tea party charm: Rep. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, has faced an opponent longer than most, if not all, state lawmakers. Elizabeth Scott of Edmonds declared her candidacy at a tea party rally in 2009 and has been campaigning ever since. She’s looking to translate the energy of that movement and the voting record of the incumbent into victory. Liias can raise money and run a smart campaign. In a district that leans Democratic, he’ll find audiences more understanding — and even welcoming — of his votes for new and higher taxes to balance the state budget.
Upset special: Sen. Jean Berkey, D-Everett, isn’t known as a tireless campaigner. If she wants another term in the 38th Legislative District, she’ll need to become one. She faces two foes, Rod Rieger from the conservative right and Nick Harper — a fellow Democrat — from the liberal left. Harper seems the bigger threat. He’s got political friends including Larsen and state Reps. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, and John McCoy, D-Tulalip. He’s hired noted Democrat strategist Christian Sinderman, who once worked for Berkey. And, union members, environmentalists and progressives who recruited Harper into the race should be ready to help. How Berkey responds in the next few weeks could foretell whether she’ll still have a seat in the Legislature next year.
Political reporter Jerry Cornfield’s blog, The Petri Dish, is at www.heraldnet.com. Contact him at 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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