Eli Olson, one of the three Republicans hoping to challenge Congressman Rick Larsen says that the 2nd Congressional District isn’t necessarily a safe Democratic district.
The redrawn district lines keep the liberal-leaning coastal areas of the Northwest Washington district that Larsen has represented for six two-year terms, while eliminating the conservative inland areas.
The district will now include Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Brier in addition to the coastal areas of Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties from Mukilteo to Bellingham and all of Island and San Juan counties.
Olson said recently that he has had good response to his message of trying to work across party lines and his message of strict construction of the U.S. Constitution.
Olson will be on the Aug. 7 primary election ballot along with fellow Republicans Dan Mathews and John Shoop, Democrat Larsen and independents Glen Johnson and Mike Lapointe. The top two vote-getters advance to the Nov. 6 general election.
Olson said that what separates him from the other two Republicans is his pledge not to vote for anything that doesn’t fit the original intent of the constitution.
He also said that he would not depend on raising money but would depend on courting precinct committee officers and other party activists.
Olson, Johnson, LaPointe and Shoop all report no fundraising, Larsen has reported $776,561 cash on hand to $2,664 for Mathews.
Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.
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