Their hats are in ring again

Lynnwood’s Warren Hanson is running for office again.

This time, the 73-year-old longshoreman is a Democrat challenging incumbent U.S. Sen. Patty Murray in Tuesday’s primary.

Two years ago, Hanson ran as a Republican against U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash. He was a Republican in 2000, when he took on Democrat Maria Cantwell for the U.S. Senate, and in 1998 when he faced Murray for the first time.

For three decades, in most even years, Hanson has run for something. And he’s always lost.

“It’ll be very difficult for me to win Tuesday. Maybe I’ll sneak in,” he said.

Yet, this perennial candidate is too hooked on politics to fret over defeats. He seizes on each bid as another chance to dispense his theorems on government and those who govern.

“I hope we can fix this country. It’s getting worse,” he said.

Hanson is not alone in vying for the Senate seat.

Chuck Jackson of Snohomish is a Republican whose chief foe in the primary is U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt. Six years ago, he ran against Murray, too, as a Democrat. Two years ago, he was the Libertarian challenger to state Rep. Al O’Brien, D-Mountlake Terrace.

Tuesday’s primary should end his campaign, but not his political pursuits.

“I suffer no illusions,” said Jackson, 44, a chief engineer with Washington State Ferries. “It’s gonna take an act of God. I don’t have any multimillion-dollar campaign backing me up. All I can hope is that people learn about some of my ideas.”

Two men, two views

Hanson, who has three grown daughters, is a native of Bellingham. As a child growing up in the early 1930s, he would pick up gunnysacks of trash from his neighbors and take them to the dump, earning a nickel a sack. He is a Navy veteran, a deep sea diver and a nonstop talker.

Illegal immigration must be stopped, term limits must be imposed and federal spending must be curbed, he said.

Hanson entered the race against Murray because “I heard she was vulnerable. She says she puts Washington first. I say put America first, then the state.”

Jackson, who has lived in Snohomish for 15 years, is married and has two children.

“Nobody seems to be addressing the financial problems that it looks like this country is headed for,” he said. “The government must no longer spend more money than it takes in.”

Jackson would change how trade treaties are approved by Congress. He said too often the deals cede power from the United States to foreign panels.

“What we’re giving away is incredible,” he said, citing the North America Free Trade Agreement and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade as examples of the United States being forced to abide by rules imposed by foreign entities.

Jackson figures lawmakers didn’t read the fine print in those deals before acting. He wants the text of any proposed treaty to be read in its entirety on the floor of the House of Representatives and Senate before approval can be given.

He also wants to take on “special interests” by banning riders to proposed laws. Such amendments, Jackson said, are typically used by lawmakers to satisfy political supporters. “The special-interest sycophants at the trough will be squealing when cut off,” he said.

Collecting votes

Neither candidate is spending much money beyond the cost of filing.

They do not have campaign organizations, though Jackson does operate two Web sites (www.jacksonforsenate.us and www.scaryreality.com). There have been no forums at which they could sit next to and debate the favorite in their respective races.

Nonetheless, each will collect votes from throughout the state.

Six years ago, Hanson collected 22,411 votes, fourth among 13 candidates. Jackson garnered the fewest in that race, 2,234, while Murray led the way with 479,009.

“I don’t expect to win,” Hanson said. “A good vote will be a good impetus for the next time.”

Who then will he support?

“As it stands right now, I wouldn’t vote for either” Murray or Nethercutt, he said.

And Jackson’s choice should he lose?

“I haven’t given it a whole lot of thought,” he said. “I’m planning on winning.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide. (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.