SNOHOMISH – Ah, he is at it again.
With the political campaign season in full swing, Snohomish City Councilman Larry Countryman wrote and illustrated “A Pirate Story: Hope in a Boat.”
The political cartoon book opposes state Rep. Hans Dunshee’s campaign for re-election Nov. 7.
“Something that I can do and make my political opinion seen,” Countryman said.
Dunshee said he hasn’t seen the 16-page cartoon book, which lampoons him as a pirate and depicts him riding a bicycle on congested Highway 9. Countryman also calls him “Dumbshee” in the book.
“I think people are tired of dirty politics,” Dunshee said. “I have faith in voters.”
Countryman said he has spent $1,720 out of his pocket to produce and mail the book to about 4,000 voting households in Dunshee’s district.
Dunshee’s opponent, Mike Hope, R-Lake Stevens, said he and his wife have seen the book and “laughed a lot.” He’s not sure whether the book will help his campaign, he added.
“It definitely will spark some interest,” said Hope, who lost to Dunshee in the 2004 election.
Countryman said that nobody asked him to do the work.
“This is my baby and what I’m doing for the campaign,” Countryman said.
Hope said he has nothing to do with the book.
“That’s just BS,” Dunshee said.
Hope has paid Countryman to promote his campaign, Dunshee said. Hope has given Countryman about $8,000 to put up yard signs since January, including the latest contribution of $1,302 on Sept. 24, according to the state’s Public Disclosure Commission.
“This is way too much money for signs,” Dunshee said.
In 2005, Countryman created and distributed a similar cartoon book to attack Liz Loomis’ re-election bid for the Snohomish City Council. Loomis lost to Doug Thorndike.
“It was easier last time because I was on the City Council (with Loomis). I really knew what was going on,” Countryman said.
The last cartoon book drew criticism from some people in Snohomish. Countryman wrote a message for them in the new book:
“I would like to dedicate this book to all of the people who hated my last political cartoon book.”
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
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