The reign of Chairman Berendt and Chairman Vance is ending.
On Saturday, Democrat Paul Berendt and Republican Chris Vance will step down as the leaders of Washington’s two major political parties, and their successors will be chosen.
Don’t worry about the outcome triggering a revolution. The design of the state quarter will incite more unrest at water coolers than who wins these elections.
That’s not to say those in politics don’t care. They do.
Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire and Republican Almost Gov. Dino Rossi have their favorites. They know the winners can influence campaigns this fall and in the future, such as a theorized Gregoire-Rossi rematch in 2008.
Similar spoils await both victors: debt and division.
According to the latest records check, Democrats are $620,000 in the hole and Republicans are at least $715,000 in debt, the lingering effects of the 2004 battle between Gregoire and Rossi. Fundraising will be priority No. 1 for both parties.
The new chairmen will immediately face frustration among those on the front lines. Precinct leaders from Snohomish to Spokane want a greater role in party political frays. Heeding the call of activists is priority No. 2. for the Democrats and the Republicans.
Berendt can smile as he leaves his $77,000-a-year job after 11 years.
Democrats enjoy a majority in the Legislature, hold the governor’s mansion, control the state treasury and run the state’s auditing arm. In Congress, Washington’s two senators and six of its nine House members are Democrats.
Five people are seeking Berendt’s post. The choice will be made by 176 party voters – two from each county and two from each legislative district.
Former King County Councilman Dwight Pelz, former state Rep. Laura Ruderman, Snohomish County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Hintz and Pierce County party leaders Jean Brooks and Bill Harrington are the candidates.
Handicappers predict Pelz, who has Gregoire’s support, and Ruderman will emerge as the top two on the first ballot, but neither will have a majority, forcing a runoff.
Chris Vance is smiling, too, as he leaves his $100,000-a-year job after five years.
Statewide, Republicans hold the offices responsible for enforcing laws, running elections and protecting public lands.
Vance noted in his resignation letter that a greater achievement was the Grand Old Party’s success in suburban areas – meaning Rossi’s victory in Snohomish County, where no Republican candidate for governor had won in two decades.
Two women are vying for his job, and 117 party activists will decide.
Fredi Simpson of Wenatchee, current vice chairwoman of the state party, and Diane Tebelius, a Republican National committeewoman, are the candidates.
Handicappers give Simpson the odds because of early endorsements by Rossi, Attorney General Rob McKenna and U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert.
They also say Tebelius didn’t win friends by billing the state party a rumored $114,000 for legal work during Rossi’s election battle.
Winners will be crowned Saturday, and a new political era will begin.
Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@ heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
