By JOHN HUGHES
Associated Press
WASHINGTON – Democrat Maria Cantwell’s victory over three-term incumbent U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton will cost the Pacific Northwest its most powerful politician since Oregon Republican Mark Hatfield retired from the Senate in 1997.
Gorton, R-Wash., sparked disdain from environmentalists, Indian tribes and organized labor, who often accused him of ignoring their needs.
But even his critics had to concede Gorton was a power in the region. He was considered the go-to politician when it comes to securing money for salmon recovery, promoting international trade, protecting the region’s cheap power and defending Microsoft.
Gorton, the region’s senior senator, also had close ties to Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., and held slots on influential committees, including the chairmanship of the interior subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Pacific Northwest political watchers and lobbyists are already recalibrating their political compasses and trying to determine who will replace Gorton as the region’s chief power broker in Washington, D.C.
But even before Gorton’s defeat, observers said the Pacific Northwest congressional delegation was rebuilding after the departure of a long line of political titans, including Hatfield; Sen. Bob Packwood, R-Ore.; Sen. Warren Magnuson, D-Wash.; Sen. Henry “Scoop” Jackson, D-Wash.; House Speaker Tom Foley, D-Wash.; and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Al Ullman, D-Ore.
The post-Gorton years on Capitol Hill might require the region’s lawmakers to unite to protect Northwest interests.
Lance LeLoup, a political science professor at Washington State University in Pullman, said the idea of a regional power broker is outdated.
Magnuson’s era, in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, was ripe for power brokers because lawmakers closely followed orders from senior members. But in a closely divided Senate where members increasingly act as free agents, a freshman could have as much influence as a senior member, LeLoup said.
Observers nonetheless have their eyes on a handful of veterans who could influence Northwest issues in the post-Gorton era:
On the interior subcommittee, Dicks will have a say in distributing tens of millions of dollars for public lands, energy and salmon.
Craig has a seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee and takes an interest in energy, salmon and forestry issues.
But Wyden’s name can hardly be mentioned without Smith, since the two have forged a partnership across party lines with weekly lunches, joint town meetings and alliances.
Copyright ©2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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