http://admin.politickerwa.com en http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2720/washington-congressional-delegation-splits-party-lines-auto-bailout Washington state's congressional delecgation split perfectly down party lines during yesterday's House roll call vote on the proposed $14 billion auto industry bailout bill. All six Democrats voted for the legislation that would have given major subsidies to the nation's failing auto companies, while the three Republicans voted against it. During the last round of bailout votes in October for financial institutions, local Republicans were joined by Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Bainbridge Island) and Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Seattle)  in their opposition.   http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2720/washington-congressional-delegation-splits-party-lines-auto-bailout#comments House undefined Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:38:00 -0500 Bryan Bissell 2720 at http://politicker.com http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2717/ladenburg-interested-epa-post Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg (D-Tacoma), who was the Democratic nominee for attorney general in 2008, is very interested in becoming the Environmental Protection Agency administrator for Region 10, a source close to Ladenburg tells PolitickerWA.com. Region 10 covers Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Pacific Northwest Indian Country. Oregon's Elin D. Miller currently holds the post after being appointed in late 2006. Ladenburg, who was term limited out of his job as executive this year, is said to be far more interested in the EPA post than United States attorney despite his extensive legal experience as a prosecutor and private practice attorney. http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2717/ladenburg-interested-epa-post#comments President Barack Obama EPA Region 10 John Ladenburg Regional EPA Administrator Rob McKenna Local Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:50:00 -0500 Bryan Bissell 2717 at http://politicker.com http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2716/local-republicans-discuss-state-party Seattle Times editorial columnist Bruce Ramsey has a piece up discussing the future of the Republican Party with four prominent Washington state political operatives and conservative intellectuals. Ramsey called on Mary Lane, who worked for Dino Rossi in 2004 and was a special consultant to the Washington State Republican Party this fall, Dr. Matt Manweller, who teaches at Central Washington University and chairs the Kittitas County Republicans, Reed Davis, who teaches at Seattle Pacific University and ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2004, and author Phillip Gold. They touched on the Iraq War, immigration, social issues and what it will take for the Republican Party to negate the losses they suffered in November. It is worth a look for a possible glimpse into the future of the GOP. http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2716/local-republicans-discuss-state-party#comments Mary Lane Matt Manweller Phillip Gold Reed Davis Local Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:53:00 -0500 Bryan Bissell 2716 at http://politicker.com http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2715/king-county-republicans-elect-leadership King County Republicans met in Bellevue over the weekend to elect leadership for the next two years, opting to keep Lori Sotelo at the helm as county party chair. Sotelo was appointed from the 1st vice chair position earlier this year when former chair Michael Young left the post to work for John McCain's presidential campaign fulltime. Beyond retaining Sotelo, the Republicans re-elected all of the county and congressional district executive board members, many of whom emphasized a need to rebrand the party and focus on recruiting young Republicans and implementing more technology into their operations. King County Republicans Local Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:21:00 -0500 Bryan Bissell 2715 at http://politicker.com http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2712/pierce-county-auditor-appointment-dispute-could-wind-court Pierce County Democrats may file a lawsuit to ensure that they have  a say in who is appointed to fill the outgoing auditor Pat McCarthy's (D-Tacoma) seat when she steps down to become county executive, the Tacoma News-Tribune is reporting. At issue is the fact that the auditor's office, which was partisan when McCarthy, a Democrat, was last elected, was recently changed to become a non-partisan office. According to the Pierce County charter, partisan positions need to be voted on from a slate of three names given by the outgoing party, yet there is no such stipulation for non-partisan offices. Democrats allege that because McCarthy was elected as a Democrat, they should have input when it comes to naming her replacement. http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2712/pierce-county-auditor-appointment-dispute-could-wind-court#comments Pat McCarthy shawn bunney Local Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:29:00 -0500 Bryan Bissell 2712 at http://politicker.com http://www.politicker.com/most-corrupt-political-office-america-illinois-governor The arrest of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his top aide on charges, among other things, that he attempted to sell off his pick to replace President-elect Barack Obama's former Senate seat, creates a drama for political junkies just in time for the Holidays. It has high drama allegation of bribes. It has big political families. It has ties to Obama. It involves the most exclusive club in the world and possibly the most corrupt office in the land. http://www.politicker.com/most-corrupt-political-office-america-illinois-governor#comments Pindell Report Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:04:00 -0500 James W. Pindell 2708 at http://politicker.com http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2710/yet-another-state-agency-head-departs Another member of Gov. Christine Gregoire's cabinet is leaving. This time the announcement comes from Juli Wilkerson, the director of the Washington state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development. This resignation is the fourth from a Washington state agency director in the past week, creating a headline battle between departing staffers and the state's increasing budget woes. Also leaving are Fish and Wildlife Director Jeff Koenigs, Department of Early Learning Director Jone Bosworth, Children's Administration chief Cheryl Stephani. Wilkerson cited a desire to spend more time with her family after a long career in public service that began. Chris Gregoire Juli Wilkerson Local Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:04:00 -0500 Bryan Bissell 2710 at http://politicker.com http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2709/goldmark-outlines-lands-commissioner-priorities Public Lands Commissioner-elect Peter Goldmark issued a statement today declaring the guidelines by which he planned to run his office throughout the next four years. "There is a nexus where science, sustainability, and economic opportunity meet and that point is where the policies of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources need to be," said Goldmark. "We face a terrible national economy and a difficult state budget, but those challenges will provide opportunities for green jobs and renewable energy on our public lands." Along those lines, Goldmark said the key priorities of his office would be to benefit the public interest both in its decisions and in its transparency, protect natural resource, seek out sustainable uses of public land and to use the land to create economic opportunities. http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2709/goldmark-outlines-lands-commissioner-priorities#comments Peter Goldmark Local Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:47:00 -0500 Bryan Bissell 2709 at http://politicker.com http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2706/tnt-campbell-may-run-congress State Rep. Tom Campbell (R-Roy) is rumored to be considering a run for Congress in the 9th Congressional District, Joe Turner at the Tacoma News-Tribune is reporting, on one condition: that he doesn't have to run against incumbent Adam Smith. Rep. Smith, who was an early and prominent supporter of President-elect Barack Obama and acted as his state chair, has been rumored as a possible appointee in the Obama administration. Smith was also the state chair for 2004 Democratic Party presidential nominee John Kerry. If Smith does leave the House, Turner says, Campbell may throw his hat into the ring for the 2010 race. The 2nd District representative is an Army veteran and a former Democrat who has won praise from a politically diverse set of interests including the Sierra Club and the National Rifle Association. http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2706/tnt-campbell-may-run-congress#comments Adam Smith House Tom Campbell Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:16:00 -0500 Bryan Bissell 2706 at http://politicker.com http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2705/hope-loomis-recount-begins-tuesday The recount in the 44th Legislative District race between Mike Hope (R-Lake Stevens) and Rep. Liz Loomis (D-Snohomish) will begin tomorrow in Snohomish County. Hope won the first count by 118 votes out of more than 68,000 votes cast over Loomis, who was appointed to the seat midway through the term when John Lovick stepped down upon being elected Snohomish County sheriff. Elections officials estimate that the count will take two days to complete, and will be done by ten counting boards working in teams of two and each candidate will have representatives observing the process. http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2705/hope-loomis-recount-begins-tuesday#comments Hans Dunshee John Ahern John Driscoll John Lovick Lis Loomis Mike Hope Local Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:53:00 -0500 Bryan Bissell 2705 at http://politicker.com http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2702/senate-democrats-choose-committee-leaderhip Washington State Senate Democrats chose their committee leadership today, electing chairs and vice chairs to run fourteen different committees. The Democrats slimmed down the total number of committees by one this session in order to save money on staffing and operations. They cut the consumer protection and housing committee, which had been chaired by retiring Sen. Brian Weinstein (D-Mercer Island).  That committee's responsibilities will be taken on by the new labor, commerce and consumer protection committee as well as the financial institutions, housing and insurance committee. Sen. Claudia Kauffman, who was that committee's vice chair, was switched over to the early learning committee. See all new committee chair assignments below.   http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2702/senate-democrats-choose-committee-leaderhip#comments Kevin Ranker Lisa Brown Local Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:22:00 -0500 Bryan Bissell 2702 at http://politicker.com http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2701/goldmark-fills-transition-team Commissioner of Public Lands-elect Peter Goldmark (D-Okanogan) has announced his transition team today. It will be made up of seven groups specializing in the issues relevant to Goldmark's office, and will include of a number of elected officials and interest group leaders. State Rep. Hans Dunshee (D-Snohomish) will oversee the budget, legislative issues will be handled by Clifford Traisman of the Washington Conservation Voters and Ted Sturdevant, Washington State  Department of Ecology. Former deputy Insurance Commissioner DJ Mark will cover personnel and NW Energy Coalition's Nancy Hirsh and Peter Moulton of the Washington State Community, Trade & Economic Development will tackle climate change & clean energy. State Sen.-elect Kevin Ranker (D-San Juan Island) will be in charge of aquatic lands issues while forest lands will be over seen by Becky Kelley of the Washington Environmental Council and agricultural lands will be headed by Read Smith of the Ruckelshaus Center. Fred Olson, who used to work in Governor's office, will act as an advisor to the whole transition process. http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2701/goldmark-fills-transition-team#comments Hans Dunshee Kevin Ranker Peter Goldmark Local Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:26:00 -0500 Bryan Bissell 2701 at http://politicker.com http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2700/roach-appear-oreilly-discuss-holiday-displays State Senator Pam Roach will be on a big stage tonight, appearing as a guest on Bill O'Reilly's cable television show according to an announcement made on her blog. "Bill O'Reilly's producer called this morning and asked if I would be interviewed by America's #1 TV news commentator," Roach writes. "Share a camera and mic with Bill? You bet!" She will be there discussing the holiday displays in the state capitol that have been under scrutiny this week, culminating in an atheist display being stole, dropped off at a country music radio station, and finally returned by the state police. http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2700/roach-appear-oreilly-discuss-holiday-displays#comments atheist display Bill O'Reilly Chris Gregoire holiday display Pam Roach Rob McKenna Washington State Capitol Local Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:15:00 -0500 Bryan Bissell 2700 at http://politicker.com http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2697/former-ross-campaign-boss-lowe-explains-how-beat-reichert Marco Lowe, who managed KIRO radio host Dave Ross’ unsuccessful 2004 bid for Congress against Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Auburn), readdresses the topic of 8th district politics in an article for The Stranger this week. He mentions the importance of recruiting candidates early so that they may begin identifying voters as soon as possible, and urges candidates to make a better effort in Pierce County, where Reichert has won each of his three races by sizeable margins. Lowe also suggests that the key to turning the 8th district blue is to focus on local issues to try to nullify Reichert’s moderate voting record on widely popular issues like the environment and public safety. Darcy Burner Dave Reichert Dave Ross Marco Lowe WA-8 Governor Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:54:00 -0500 Bryan Bissell 2697 at http://politicker.com http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2693/driscoll-wins-election-after-recount-ld-6 Representative-elect John Driscoll (D-Spokane) has finally won the race for the 6th Legislative District, position 2, exactly one month after election day. Spokane County elections officials have announced that, after a mandatory hand recount required from an initial margin of victory of less than 0.25 percent, Driscoll remains ahead of Rep. John Ahern (R-Spokane), though the vote counted changed slightly from the original tally. When election results were certified in late November, Driscoll led Ahern by 74 votes, and after the recount the official margin dropped slightly to 72, with Driscoll totaling 35,106 votes to Ahern's 35,034. http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2693/driscoll-wins-election-after-recount-ld-6#comments John Ahern John Driscoll Kevin Parker LD 6 Local Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:41:00 -0500 Bryan Bissell 2693 at http://politicker.com http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2692/pierce-co-leaders-praise-outgoing-executive-ladenburgs-leadership-skills The Tacoma News-Tribune's David Wickert gathered reactions from a number of Pierce County political leaders on the subject of outgoing Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg's legacy. Republicans and Democrats alike, including Pierce County Councilman Dick Muri (R-Lakewood) and Pierce County Executive-elect Pat McCarthy (D-Tacoma), had positive things to say about Ladenburg, notably on his energy and willingness to work with all factions. Term limits require Ladenburg to leave the office after this term. He ran for attorney general this fall, but was defeated by incumbent Attorney General Rob McKenna (R-Bellevue) by nineteen points. http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2692/pierce-co-leaders-praise-outgoing-executive-ladenburgs-leadership-skills#comments Duck Muri John Ladenburg Pat McCarthy Rob McKenna Local Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:39:00 -0500 Bryan Bissell 2692 at http://politicker.com http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2690/house-democrats-choose-committee-chairs Washington state House Democrats chose their committee chairs at a meeting in Olympia today, assigning leadership for twenty-five different committees. "We have a terrific team of chairs," said Majority Leader Lynn Kessler (D-Hoquiam).  "They are experienced and excited, and ready to take on the challenges of the upcoming session." Notably, the race for the powerful appropriations committee chair, which was well documented this fall between rival Representatives Kelli Linville (D-Bellingham) and Hans Dunshee (D-Snohomish), went to Linville. Dunshee, who had been vice chair, was given the helm of the capital budget committee. The appropriations committee was then re-named and is now called "ways and means." See the full list as presented by the House Democrats below.   http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2690/house-democrats-choose-committee-chairs#comments Hans Dunshee Kelli Linville Lynn Kessler Washington State House Democrats Local Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:09:00 -0500 Bryan Bissell 2690 at http://politicker.com http://www.politickerma.com/jeremyjacobs/2057/newly-elected-reps-hear-dismal-economic-forecast-harvard-conference CAMBRIDGE - Forty newly elected members of Congress gathered Thursday morning to hear some of Massachusetts' finest economists discuss the current crisis and possible remedies. And one thing became clear very quickly: No one knows a surefire way out of the mess. The forum took place at the Institute of Politics at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government as part of its four-day conference this week for recently elected members of Congress. It featured panelists with economic expertise from the Kennedy School, Harvard's economics department and Harvard's law school. Jeffrey Frankel, an economics professor at the Kennedy School and former member of President Bill Clinton's council of economic advisors, summed up the tone of the meeting in his opening remarks. "No one thoroughly understands the economic crisis," Frankel said. House Local Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:40:00 -0500 Jeremy P. Jacobs 2687 at http://politicker.com http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2689/locke-being-considered-us-trade-rep A Washington Post report today says that former Washington Governor Gary Locke is one of the top candidates to become the next United States trade representative in the Obama administration. Locke, a two-term governor who was the nation's first Chinese-American to hold the post, is being considered along with Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), who is widely seen as the frontrunner for the job if he chooses to accept it.  Becerra is meeting with President-elect Obama today in Chicago to discuss the position.  President Barack Obama Gary Locke transition Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:57:00 -0500 Bryan Bissell 2689 at http://politicker.com http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2688/gregoire-mckenna-release-statement-holiday-displays-after-increased-heat Gov. Chris Gregoire and Attorney General Rob McKenna released a statement Wednesday explaining the state’s policy on holiday displays in the capitol building, where current displays include a holiday tree, a Christian nativity scene and an atheist poster celebrating the winter solstice and denouncing religion. The statement comes on the heels of the governor’s office being flooded with hundreds of calls after the atheist display received considerable newspaper ink, and was further fanned by conservative television and radio talk show host Bill O’Reilly, who had invited local blogger David Goldstein and local attorney Anne Bremner on his top-rated cable show Tuesday to discuss the issue. O’Reilly later urged his audience to call Gregoire and voice their displeasure. Then comes Wednesday, the phone calls, and the statement. See it below. http://admin.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2688/gregoire-mckenna-release-statement-holiday-displays-after-increased-heat#comments Chris Gregoire Rob McKenna Governor Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:24:00 -0500 Bryan Bissell 2688 at http://politicker.com