You can pretty much forget about a Democrat vs. Democrat contest in the 21st Legislative District this fall.
Snohomish County Labor Council President Darrell Chapman is officially not running against appointed Rep. Marko Liias.
“I am an absolutely loyal Democrat. I will be supporting Marko Liias,” he told me Monday.
And to any other Democrat thinking Liias’ short tenure makes him politically vulnerable, Chapman warned: “I will not tolerate anybody running against Marko.”
Pretty strong words from a guy who wanted the job Liias got – succeeding Brian Sullivan in the state Legislature.
But precinct committee officers favored Liias in December and the Snohomish County Council backed them up by selecting the former Mukilteo councilman for the position. Chapman had raised nearly $14,000 in campaign contributions when the council decision came down. For several weeks afterwards he watched Liias closely with an eye to declaring his candidacy if the new appointee didn’t serve to his liking. Liias did and now Chapman won’t be running.
What to do with all the money? Chapman said the Public Disclosure Commission told him he’ll have to wait until after the Aug. 19 primary before he can either return it to donors or contribute it to other political causes. That prompted him to write in a Feb. 26 letter to the PDC that because he has to sit on it for awhile, “I will maintain the right to re-evaluate my position and reactivate my campaign if conditions warrant it.”
He insisted the use of a top-two primary in August is not such a condition – even though it offers him a shot at winning the seat in November.
The district is heavily Democratic. Even if Republicans field a candidate – and there’s no sign yet that they will – Chapman and Liias would likely wind up the top two votegetters in the primary. There’s no doubt Chapman could amass much more money for a campaign through his union ties. But he insisted he’s not changing his mind.
“I called Marko and told him I’d support him 100 percent.”
End of story. > Give us your news tips. > Send us a letter to the editor. > More Herald contact information.Talk to us
