State Sen. Dino Rossi brought his campaign caravan to Everett on Wednesday, the latest stop in a 17-city, four-week tour to kick off his race for governor in 2004.
The Republican candidate spoke at the Everett Knights of Columbus Hall to more than 100 supporters.
It was the eighth stop in Rossi’s cross-state tour, and he repeated his charge that the state needs a change after having Democrats in control of the governor’s office for 20 years.
With Boeing’s future role in the region uncertain and businesses such as Airborne Express leaving, people are worried about jobs, Rossi said.
"People are concerned about the economy and getting people back to work," he said.
"We have one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation. If you keep doing the same thing over and over, there is no way you’re going to have a different result."
Rossi vows to improve the state’s business climate so employers won’t leave. "We can’t keep chasing businesses out of the state," he said.
Rossi, who was born in Seattle, has some roots in Snohomish County. His family moved to Mountlake Terrace when he was 3, and he attended Woodway High School.
Two-term Gov. Gary Locke has said he won’t seek re-election, and three big names in the Democratic Party — state Attorney General Christine Gregoire, King County Executive Ron Sims and former state Supreme Court Justice Phil Talmadge — have jumped into the race.
If Rossi wins, he would be the first Republican elected governor since John Spellman won the office in 1980.
Reporter Brian Kelly: 425-339-3422 or kelly@heraldnet.com.
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