State Democratic Chair Dwight Pelz To Step Down

Washington State Democratic Chair Dwight Pelz has announced that he will be stepping down at the next Central Committee meeting in February.  Pelz has held the position since 2006.  Perhaps his most towering accomplishment was his role in the upset victory of Jay Inslee over Attorney General Rob McKenna for Governor of Washington.  Although McKenna was thought of as a main stream Republican, Pelz sought to portray him as a Tea Party crony of Karl Rove, the Republican hatchet man.  
A strong Liberal, who is a former roommate to notorious radical Jeff "The Dude" Dowd, to whom the picture "The Big Lebowski was based on, was able to bring together many divergent wings of the party as chair.  When many Eastern Washington Democrats spoke out about running on a platform on gun restrictions, Pelz made sure their voice was heard.   He was also a kind man who always had time to chat with the rank and file.  The Democratic Party did not lose a major state or national election during his tenure.

John Edwards Leaves The Race

I was not that surprised when John Edwards pulled out of the presidential race, I was however disappointed. I feel that he was the candidate that carried a message. I believed that he had apeal beyond the partisans. He could not however even finish second in his home state. What saddens me the most is that the nomination should now be settled by the end of the month. John Edwards will go down as a candidate who showed great fortitude and class and the Democratic party is better for having him.

2007 In Review--King County Eastside Dinner Outburst

This exchange last fall between an Iraq War veteran and Congressional Candidate Darcy Burner at the normally civil Eastside dinner should give us a hint about what the political climate will be in 2008.

Darcy Burner Is In 8th District Congressional Race

Democrat Darcy Burner came within percentage points of beating sitting Washington 8th District Congressman Dave Reichert last fall. Now she has announced she is ready for a rematch with Dave in 2008. Burner (pictured with son Henry) attended a meeting last night of the 5th district (5th State Legislative district) Democrats with gifts for elected PCOs and a power point presentation on her strategy for winning the seat. The 8th district which comprises most of the East Side of King County has been represented by Republicans since it's inception.

Ventrella For Congress?

Tony Ventrella's unannounced drop by at a Democratic State Committee Meeting last month, has sparked rumours of a possible bid for Congress. Ventrella, former sportscaster on just about every station at one time or another in the Puget Sound area, lives in the 8th Congressional District, where Republican Dave Reichert has hung on to by the skin of his teeth.
Ventrella's probable strengths in the general election could be a weakness in a primary election, his congenial style has potential crossover appeal, but the Democratic rank and file tend to favor a candidate who would be more outspoken and blunt.
So far, 2006 candidate Darcy Burner has not announced her intentions.