There will be a trove of memories — not all of them treasures — when the 2007 election season concludes Tuesday.
Who’d have believed a magician would pop out of the Republican Party hat to challenge the incumbent Democrat running Snohomish County?
Yet there appeared Jack Turk, with the illusion of a campaign, against Aaron Reardon, with the wiles of a skilled candidate.
Did anyone predict two squirrels would star in a campaign commercial?
They are on television now with a message to voters to sock away tax dollars for the future by passing the statewide measure creating a rainy day fund.
And if you’re one for tracking spending records, they’re getting broken in the Referendum 67 battle.
Insurers behind Reject 67 had spent roughly $11.1 million as of last week — the most by any group on either side of a referendum debate in state history.
Add in expenditures of the trial-lawyer-backed Approve 67 coalition and the total may eclipse the record $16 million spent when the same two interest groups fought on health care liability reform in 2005.
One nontraditional tactic unfolded in the Aug. 21 primary in Lynnwood.
City Councilman Jim Smith, who is bidding for a sixth term, wrote to some residents in July asking them “to vote for my opponent, Maria Ambalada.” She finished third in the three-way race.
Why did he do it? Maybe Smith lacked faith he could overcome the other opponent, Chris Boyer — who is a pastor.
Not every candidate on the ballot is without foible.
Shawna Forde entered the race against Everett Councilman Drew Nielsen and days later we learned of her yen for chocolate milk.
Early this year, she walked out of an Everett supermarket without paying for $3.18 worth of chocolate milk. The cops called it shoplifting. She pleaded guilty and paid enough in fines for several gallons of the drink.
In Lake Stevens, Councilwoman Suzanne Quigley celebrated St. Patrick’s Day and then had less fun driving home.
While on Highway 204, her car drifted out of its lane and she got pulled over on suspicion of DUI. She registered a blood-alcohol level of .10.
Today, as she seeks election to a full term in office, she’s paid fines, completed court-ordered classes, regained her license and had charges reduced to reckless driving.
Some folks sought an office they now can’t hold or don’t want.
Blair Anderson is on the ballot in Arlington, but folks should not vote for him for City Council. He’s moved out of town.
In Sultan, Councilman Derek Boyd filed to run against fellow Councilman Jim Flower, stirring expectations of a fierce duel.
Boyd has since said he’s not interested in the seat. He declared his pullout too late to scratch his name from the ballot, forcing Flower to keep campaigning.
Until Tuesday, when the election will be history — barring any recounts.
Reporter Jerry Cornfield’s column on politics runs every Sunday. He can be heard at 8 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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