I don’t start rumors, but I don’t mind blabbing them.
Not all tales, however, are worth tattling. One must deploy due diligence in separating the tasty rumor from the chaff of decomposing gossip. With discovery of a nanokernel of truth, I begin mongering my find.
Like, did you know:
Gov. Christine Gregoire launched her re-election bid last month?
She did. On June 1, our Democratic leader registered as a candidate and established “People for Chris Gregoire, Governor 2008.”
That’s five days before Chelan County Superior Court Judge John Bridges rejected those challenging her 2004 victory. Confidence or coincidence – you make the call.
And it is one week after she could legally start fundraising for re-election. Tomorrow, financial disclosure statements are due to the state, and those will reveal the quantity of cash in her political nest egg.
She didn’t start empty-handed. She carried over a few thousand unspent dollars from the campaign. Last month, she wrote supporters asking for more. At least that’s the rumor.
If you’re wondering, Dino Rossi is still listed as a candidate for the job in 2008.
Remember, he set up his campaign committee in January, then began gathering funds to cover the costs of trying to chuck Gregoire from office. As of May 31, he had $115,000 in available cash.
He also had $243,000 in liabilities. Most of that is bonuses promised to staff if he won. These range from $5,000 to communications director Mary Lane to $15,000 to campaign manager Afton Swift to $150,000 for media consultant Scott Howell.
Tomorrow, when Rossi files his financial report, we may learn whether any of them got paid.
Closer to home, here are other rumors for pondering:
Democratic Rep. John Lovick will run for Snohomish County sheriff in 2007.
“I have to run for the House in 2006,” Lovick said. “I will keep my options open.”
You can bank on the retired Washington State Patrol officer pursuing the job. His immediate concern is another term in the House of Representatives. His kick-off fundraiser is July 21.
Republican Mike Hope will challenge Lovick in 2006.
“I’ve been asked,” said Hope, a Seattle police detective who lost to Rep. Hans Dunshee last year. “Justice would be served if either one of them were not in there.”
Hope is a top choice in the GOP. He doesn’t want to lose again. Choosing the right opponent is a key.
Sheriff Rick Bart will pull out of the race for Snohomish County Executive in 2007 so County Councilman John Koster can run.
“That’s news to me,” Bart said. “I’m running.”
He sounds serious with plans to begin dialing for dollars this week. Before Bart entered the race, he and Koster lunched to discuss this race.
“I keep hearing those rumors that he’s going to run,” Bart said. “He’s told me he’s not going to run, and I’ll take him at his word.”
That’s all my mongering. If you have a good rumor, share it with me and I may spread it.
Reporter Jerry Cornfield’s column on politics runs every Sunday. He can be reached at 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@ heraldnet.com.
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