A year ago, as Steve Hobbs began campaigning for Snohomish County Council, he told me of his desire to make “environmental tourism” the region’s next new industry.
He lost the race badly.
We spoke again this week after his primary victory to become the Democratic nominee against Republican state Sen. Dave Schmidt of Mill Creek.
Hobbs, of Lake Stevens, talked of conducting a campaign offering hope to working families and ideas for affordable health care, better education and less clogged roads.
When I mentioned environmental tourism, you could hear his grimace: “Did you have to bring that up?” We laughed.
Steve Hobbs is a better candidate in 2006 than in 2005. He’s more serious in his approach to campaigning and clearer in his delivery on issues; it’s a maturity expected of one who’s served as peacekeeper in Kosovo and combat soldier in Iraq.
Let there be no illusion – Hobbs is the underdog for November.
Schmidt sits on some $70,000 while Hobbs must restock his account following the primary.
Hobbs will try to cast Schmidt as a conservative in the vein of President Bush who’s moderated his stances with the approach of re-election.
He’ll need to hone the message, for Schmidt appears well-protected from random rhetoric.
Schmidt is carrying a diverse political portfolio these days. Wal-Mart, Philip Morris and area developers are among his donors with SEIU, League of Education Voters and the Washington Conservation Voters on the list of his endorsers.
Finding tangible issues will be tough, too. For example, transportation concerns residents in the district’s major cities of Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Mill Creek and Marysville. Schmidt joined Democrats in voting to raise the gas tax after money for Highway 9 improvement went into the construction plan.
Hobbs’ task is further complicated by his need to make amends with those in his party. The 44th Legislative District Democrats, a group of precinct committee officers and other supporters, did not endorse Hobbs. They wanted his opponent, Lillian Kaufer, who ran with determination, spirit and energy.
Hobbs infuriated members when he didn’t bow out and back her when the endorsement came out, said Michael Hughes, chairman of the group.
Hobbs did the same thing last year, refusing to yield to Dave Somers when he notched this group’s endorsement.
That’s a lot of agitation, Hughes said. Hobbs needs to reach out to those who opposed him if he wants to exorcise the animus and get them knocking on doors for him.
Kaufer offered a guiding hand toward rapprochement Thursday, conceding the race and pledging to support him.
Hobbs then wrote to her backers via a letter on the Democrats’ internal e-mail list. He praised their work, lauded their leader and applauded their candidate, Kaufer.
“Now is the time to unite and move forward,” concluded his note.
For Hobbs, not a uniting figure in the past, this is another sign he’s growing up.
Reporter Jerry Cornfield’s column on politics runs every Sunday. He can be heard at 7 a.m. Monday on “The Morning Show” on KSER (90.7 FM). He can be reached at 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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