Possible Changes In South East King

Washington's 8th Congressional District, currently one of  two Districts in the state to be represented by only one party in it's history and the only state district to not never elect a Democrat may change both soon.  Although it's too close to call, Democrat Kim Schrier has a sizable lead over former state senator Dino Rossi.  
Rossi, who almost was elected governor in 2004, started out the campaign painting himself as the guy who achieved the American Dream.  He talked about working his way to get to college.  He wound up the campaign with scare tactics accusing Schrier of supporting taxes that would be issued on the state level., which don't involve US House.
Schrier, referred to Rossi as a "career politician" ,  she emphasized  her career as a pediatrician, outraged by Congress's attempts to overturn the Affordable Care Act.  She also questioned Rossi's business dealings and refused a chance to repudiate those claims during their debate.
In what may have been the bluest election in Maple Valley history,  Democrat Bill Ramos hold a lead over former house member Republican  Chad Magendanz for position 1 of the 5th District House of Representatives, while Democrat Lisa Callen has the lead over freshman incumbent  Republican Paul Graves for position 2.  No Democrat has previously represented the 5th in Washington's House.  The 5th LD, includes Maple Valley, Black Diamond, Issaquah, and North Bend.

8th CD District Debate

Will a Democrat finally represent Washington's 8th congressional District?  Democrat Kim Schrier and Republican Dino Rossi are debating in Ellensburg.
No doubt Schrier will make this a debate about the 45th president, who has limited popularity in our area.

Gloria Hatcher-Mays Gets Slog Attention

Gloria Hatcher-Mays, 5th Legislative District Democratic State Committeeman, has gotten recognition in the Slog, the blog for The Stranger, an independent newspaper in the Seattle area.
The article points out that Hatcher-Mays has had comments made on Dino Rossi's Facebook
page have been deleted by Rossi or his staff.   Rossi is campaigning to replace fellow Republican Dave Reichert for Washington's 8th district seat in Congress.
I have worked with Gloria in the 5th LD on endorsements.   In addition to being active in Democratic politics, she also serves in the non-partisan position of Fire Commissioner. 

Dr Kim To Face Dino For US House

Dr Kim Schrier, an Issaquah pediatrician, will attempt to become the first ever Democrat to represent Washington's 8th Congressional District.  Shrier, who  conducted a relatively low key campaign edged out former King County prosecutor Jason Rittereiser, who touted his Ellensburg small town roots.
Schrier had volunteers door bell across the district and made phone calls.  I was impressed by the volunteer who stopped by our house not long before I filled out my ballot.  I was called earlier in the year by Schrier herself.
Schrier will face Dino Rossi, who represented the 5LD in the State Senate, but has failed 3 times to be elected to hire office.
Washington's 8th CD is the only one of 10 in this state that has never been represented by a Democrat.

Dino Rossi May Run For Congress

Speculations seem to indicate that GOP Washington State Senator Dino Rossi may be gearing up for a run for congress.   Rossi would run in Washington's 8th district, the only Congressional District in the state that has been in Republican hands since it's inception. If elected, he would succeed retiring 5th district congressman Dave Reichert.
  Rossi is a veteran politician who served 2 terms in Washington's 5th legislative district until his nearly successful race for governor.  In 2004, Rossi was defeated by Attorney General Christine Gregoire in the closest Governor's race in US history.  Rossi would later make another unsuccessful attempt for governor against Gregoire.
Rossi would later run for US Senate against incumbent Patty Murray. 
Rossi was appointed to return to the state senate, succeeding Cheryl Pflug who resigned to take an appointment from Christine Gregoire.  Rossi left the position after Democrat Mark Mullet was elected to the Senate.
After the death of Senator Andy Hill in the 45th district, Rossi was appointed to again serve in the state senate on an interim basis.  Rossi is in Real Estate and has had other business interests in the Seattle area.

Senator Murray Receives Realtor's Endorsement

Local blogger David Goldstein reports that Washington Senator Patty Murray has received the endorsement of the Washington Association Of Realtors. The group is thought to be generally Conservative but seems to respect Murray's experience in the chamber. The endorsement is a blow to Dino Rossi, a former realtor who has talked about challenging Murray for the Senate seat this fall.

Racist Obama Three Dollar Bills Distributed At Monroe Fair

After complaining, rightfully so, about an advertisement for Governor Gregoire using the Sopranos theme to smear Dino Rossi, who is of Italian heritage, the Republicans have shown hypocracy by distributing phony 3 dollar bills showing Barack Obama in an African headdress with a racist caption at the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe. The chair of the Snohomish County Republicans has apologized.

Seattle Times Nails Dino Rossi

The normally Conservative Seattle Times has called out Dino Rossi for voting in favor of a gas tax that he blames the governor for. Check here.