Nethercutt might want Locke’s job

By David Ammons

Associated Press

OLYMPIA — U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt, the Spokane Republican who ousted House Speaker Tom Foley from office in 1994, may take aim at another big-name Democrat: Gov. Gary Locke.

The congressman has begun raising his visibility in Western Washington and said Monday he may run for governor in 2004. He also held open the possibility of challenging Sen. Patty Murray.

"I’ve been thinking about options," Nethercutt said in an interview. "I’m worried about this state. I hear a lot of people saying we need stronger leadership in the governor’s chair."

Nethercutt, 57, said he hasn’t grown restless in the U.S. House, where he’s moving up the ladder on the Appropriations Committee. But like a growing number of luminaries in both parties, he’s looking at possibilities in two years.

No statewide offices are on the ballot this year, but in 2004 Murray’s Senate seat, the governor’s mansion and eight other state offices are up for grabs.

Nethercutt was at the state Capitol Monday to meet with Republican legislators, a network used effectively by former three-term Gov. Dan Evans as a campaign apparatus. Nethercutt has been moving around the state, addressing party events. He met recently with the Washington Roundtable of business chief executive officers and the Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

Nethercutt said Locke deserves low marks on transportation and the economy. Locke seems to react to problems after they have developed, rather than providing strong leadership to head off problems in the first place, he said.

"All around the state, people are worried about the economy and the huge budget deficit. They worry about a lack of planning and organization in Olympia. The economic impact on small companies, in farm country, is huge. People are all saying ‘We’re just getting whacked.’

"The state payroll is going up, but private payrolls are going down. Something’s wrong.

"I’ll lead, as opposed to reacting," Nethercutt said.

Nethercutt said Locke’s decision about whether to seek a third term won’t affect his own decision about running. In fact, running against a wounded Locke might be easier than running for an open seat, he said.

"I had an advantage in ‘94 running against an ingrained public official," he said. "I’m not afraid to leap in. I’m not a windsock. I take on tough challenges. I’ve run against the odds."

Locke hasn’t tipped his hand on which way he is leaning, spokesman Pearse Edwards said Monday. The governor has begun raising money, but campaign aides say that’s primarily to hold open his options.

Although Nethercutt is generating buzz in Republican circles as a potential gubernatorial candidate, he said he’s also considering a run against Murray, who is expected to run for a third term.

Murray has won both of her races handily and now holds the influential transportation appropriations subcommittee chairmanship.

Nethercutt said he is gearing up for his re-election campaign this fall. After the election, he’ll firm up his plans for 2004. A successful statewide campaign would cost $5 million or more, he said.

Nethercutt said the other two Republicans on the House delegation, Jennifer Dunn of Bellevue and Doc Hastings of Pasco, also are potential candidates for the Senate or for governor.

Both Dunn and Hastings made the rounds in Olympia last week. Dunn said she won’t begin to consider either possibility until after this year’s congressional elections. Hastings announced for re-election this year, but was mum on any other aspirations.

"Somebody from Eastern Washington should run, definitely," said state Rep. Jim Clements, R-Selah. "We have a void of representation. If that sounds like a pity party, I’m sorry. But it’s true. Don’t we deserve someone from outside the 30 miles around the Space Needle?"

Clements said he is considering a bid for governor himself.

Clarence Martin of Cheney was the last Eastern Washington resident to be elected governor, more than 60 years ago. The Democrat served from 1933 to 1941. It has been even longer since an east-sider won a Senate seat. Clements tried unsuccessfully last year to divide the state into east and west districts.