Burglar hits Koster’s congressional campaign office
Published 10:40 pm Tuesday, March 23, 2010
ARLINGTON — Someone broke into Republican John Koster’s congressional campaign office last week and stole two computers loaded with data on potential donors and volunteers.
Then whoever is responsible made a bigger mess by tossing a computer printer through a window.
“This is the first time something like this has ever happened to me,” said Koster, a Snohomish County councilman and onetime state lawmaker who is making his second bid for Congress. “I don’t know if it was just vandalism or politically motivated.”
He is running against Democratic U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen in the 2nd District, which takes in parts of Snohomish and King counties and all of Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan counties. It includes Everett, Marysville, Lake Stevens, Arlington, Monroe and Sultan.
Koster’s headquarters is in the former Weller’s Chalet restaurant at the Island Crossing intersection of I-5 and Highway 530. Campaign banners are draped on the outside walls. Furniture and equipment have been brought in since Koster started renting the building this month.
The theft occurred sometime between March 12 and early March 18, according to authorities.
Police have no suspects but they secured evidence and an “active investigation” is under way, said Arlington assistant city administrator Kristin Banfield.
So far there are no signs this is a politically motivated crime, she said.
Koster said the crime temporarily distracts from his effort against Larsen, a five-term incumbent.
The computers, one a laptop and the other a desktop, contained data on contributors and supporters in Koster’s previous campaigns, including his 2009 re-election to the County Council.
“It was absolutely sensitive information, and it’s gone,” said his campaign manager Larry Stickney.
But Koster said Tuesday the break-is simply a test of his campaign’s resolve.
“It’ll take a lot more than this to set back my campaign,” he said.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
