Published: Sunday, August 15, 2010
Dunshee also plans campaign for parks job
Is Rep. Hans Dunshee ready for a career change?
As the Snohomish Democrat campaigns for another two-year term in the Legislature, he's planning to apply this month to become the next director of the state parks system.
If he succeeds in both pursuits, he'll have a choice to make this fall because he can't hold down both jobs.
"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. It'd be a long shot for me," Dunshee told me this week.
He might arrive at that bridge at a critical point in the election season.
The state Recreation and Parks Commission wants to hire a new department leader by the end of October – right about the time voters will be casting ballots in the general election.
Dunshee is now a good bet to win re-election. If he is the choice for the parks job, and accepts, that news could alter the outcome and help deliver his seat to a Republican challenger.
Dunshee, who's spoken with several commissioners about the position in recent weeks, insisted he's not sure what he'll do if it is offered.
"I'll decide where I can make the most difference," he said. "I can help parks a helluva lot in the Legislature. That's the place where you can really move levers.
"At some point, I have to leave the Legislature," he said. "I'm not going to stay there forever."
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Republican Dave Schmidt of Mill Creek is knocking on a lot of doors in his attempt to regain the state Senate seat he lost in 2006.
But he is not raising a lot of money for a campaign he hopes will continue past Tuesday's primary.
And a big chunk of his contributions is going into his pocket.
At the start of last week he had collected $20,175 and paid himself $6,600 to cover wages lost when he quit his job selling home security systems to run for office. Schmidt has also reimbursed himself about $1,600 for mileage, according to reports filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission.
There's nothing wrong with a politician reimbursing salary and expenses from campaign funds, although most refrain from doing so.
Schmidt's faced financial difficulties since a development venture he undertook failed and led to him filing personal bankruptcy last year. And he's not paid property taxes on his Mill Creek condo for two years though he is appealing the bill for 2010.
Schmidt's convinced voters will understand these personal challenges and won't punish him at the ballot box by siding with the other Republican in the race, Ryan Ferrie.
Republican Party leaders aren't concerned either.
The Senate Republican Campaign Committee provided a $4,500 check to launch Schmidt's campaign and has sent out several mailers aimed at helping drive up the turnout of GOP voters.
And late this week the state Republican Party reported an $8,351 contribution to Schmidt's campaign.
In three days, we'll know if that investment pays off.
Political reporter Jerry Cornfield's blog, The Petri Dish, is at www.heraldnet.com. Contact him at 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
As the Snohomish Democrat campaigns for another two-year term in the Legislature, he's planning to apply this month to become the next director of the state parks system.
If he succeeds in both pursuits, he'll have a choice to make this fall because he can't hold down both jobs.
"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. It'd be a long shot for me," Dunshee told me this week.
He might arrive at that bridge at a critical point in the election season.
The state Recreation and Parks Commission wants to hire a new department leader by the end of October – right about the time voters will be casting ballots in the general election.
Dunshee is now a good bet to win re-election. If he is the choice for the parks job, and accepts, that news could alter the outcome and help deliver his seat to a Republican challenger.
Dunshee, who's spoken with several commissioners about the position in recent weeks, insisted he's not sure what he'll do if it is offered.
"I'll decide where I can make the most difference," he said. "I can help parks a helluva lot in the Legislature. That's the place where you can really move levers.
"At some point, I have to leave the Legislature," he said. "I'm not going to stay there forever."
uuu
Republican Dave Schmidt of Mill Creek is knocking on a lot of doors in his attempt to regain the state Senate seat he lost in 2006.
But he is not raising a lot of money for a campaign he hopes will continue past Tuesday's primary.
And a big chunk of his contributions is going into his pocket.
At the start of last week he had collected $20,175 and paid himself $6,600 to cover wages lost when he quit his job selling home security systems to run for office. Schmidt has also reimbursed himself about $1,600 for mileage, according to reports filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission.
There's nothing wrong with a politician reimbursing salary and expenses from campaign funds, although most refrain from doing so.
Schmidt's faced financial difficulties since a development venture he undertook failed and led to him filing personal bankruptcy last year. And he's not paid property taxes on his Mill Creek condo for two years though he is appealing the bill for 2010.
Schmidt's convinced voters will understand these personal challenges and won't punish him at the ballot box by siding with the other Republican in the race, Ryan Ferrie.
Republican Party leaders aren't concerned either.
The Senate Republican Campaign Committee provided a $4,500 check to launch Schmidt's campaign and has sent out several mailers aimed at helping drive up the turnout of GOP voters.
And late this week the state Republican Party reported an $8,351 contribution to Schmidt's campaign.
In three days, we'll know if that investment pays off.
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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