OLYMPIA — Republican Dino Rossi, who narrowly lost the 2004 governor’s race, plans to announce his second gubernatorial campaign at events around the state this week, GOP sources said Monday.
The former state senator is scheduled to announce his 2008 political plans on Thursday in Issaquah and Spokane, spokeswoman Jill Strait said.
Strait, who said she’d only been working with Rossi for a few days, refused to give more details about his announcement. But Republican sources, speaking on condition of anonymity because the announcement was not yet official, confirmed Rossi will announce his 2008 candidacy for governor.
His entry into the race is a relief for Republicans, many of whom are still stung by Democrat Chris Gregoire’s 133-vote victory in 2004 — which came after three vote counts and a court challenge.
The nearly 700-person turnout at the state GOP’s recent fundraiser — the theme was “Run, Dino, Run!” — energized the Rossi camp for another run, Rossi adviser Fredi Simpson said Monday.
Gregoire hasn’t officially announced her own re-election bid, but has raised more than $3 million for the campaign and is a candidate in all but name.
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