John LadenburgAt his official campaign kickoff last Monday, Democratic candidate for Attorney General John Ladenburg began his speech by talking about opening his first office as a trial lawyer in South Tacoma. He mentioned how he worked with tribes and blue collar folks from the neighborhood and boasted that he was one of the first lawyers around to work on behalf of battered women. 

Ladenburg still lives in blue collar South Tacoma, the neighborhood where he grew up. He even gets his haircut at the same barber shop on 56th and South Tacoma Way that he has been going to for thirty-odd years. It's just one of the ways that he keeps up with the local issues, and the gossip around town.

"I represented people in the neighborhood," he said.

Chris Mulick at the Tri City Herald reports that two of the state's legislative races have changed their complexion in recent days. In the 40th District, where seven candidates are vying for retiring Sen. Harriet Spanel's seat, now former Democrat Steve Hopley, the Commissioner of the Port of Anacortes, has changed his party affiliation from Democrat to independent leaving himself, five Democrats and one Republican to fill out the race.

Meanwhile, 5th District Democrat Jon Viebrock (D-Carnation) originally filed to challenge Rep. Glenn Anderson (R-Fall City) but has now decided to instead seek Rep. Jay Rodne's (R-North Bend) seat in position #1.

John BurbankSeattle's 36th Legislative District is one of the most reliably blue districts in the state, a place where constituents rarely disagree over the core issues, and if anything they will have differences over what constitutes the best form of democracy. That idea came about again recently when, at a Democratic debate in the 36th District Thursday night, candidates John Burbank and Reuven Carlyle differed on the implementation of spending caps for their state House race where State Party Chair Dwight Pelz recently named Burbank the official nominee when the District decided not to endorse any single nominee.

After a question was asked about public election financing where both candidates affirmed their support of the idea, Burbank turned to Carlyle and asked if he would agree to spending limits in this year's race. Carlye declined at the time, and later called the question nothing but a debate gimmick and an attempt at a "gotcha" moment.

Fred WalserBarely a week after Rep. Geoff Simpson (D-Covington) was arrested on domestic violence charges, another Washington Democrat has been charged with a gross misdemeanor. This time, however, it is merely a candidate for state office and not an elected official.

The Everett Herald reports that state Senate candidate Fred Walser (D-Sultan) has been charged with providing false information to a public servant. The incident allegedly occurred when Walser was the Chief of Police in Sultan and relates to the possible suppression of evidence in a dispute between one of his officers and her neighbor. The full story of the case is here.

Shirley Hankins steps aside with class while Tim Eyman mortgages his house. Here are Washington state's Winners and Losers for May 9, 2008.

Republican Rick Bart, the former Snohomish County Sheriff running for Congress in District 2, has just launched his campaign website, http:http://www.electrickbart.com.

He is running against incumbent Rick Larsen, who is currently in the news for endorsing Barack Obama Thursday.  Larsen's website is http://www.ricklarsen.org/.

The Tri-City Herald's Chris Mulick talked Republican state Senate politics this week with Minority Leader Mike Hewitt (R-Walla Walla). Hewitt was particularly impressed with the campaigns of challengers Linda Haddon in the 10th LD, Randi Becker in the 2nd, and Steve Van Luven in the 40th.

In particular, he was impressed with Becker's doorbelling and Van Luven's ability to connect with influential lobbyists. Districts 2 and 10 are potential swing districts, but the 40th leans heavily Democratic. Hewitt told TCH that he hoped to have 20 seats in the Republican Senate Caucus next session.

Read the full story here.

The Seattle Times' David Postman is reporting that Rep. Rick Larsen, one of Washington's final remaining uncommitted elected superdelegates, will endorse Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination.

UPDATED: Larsen's office has just sent out a press release with his statements.

Larsen Pledges Super Delegate Vote to Obama

Everett, WA - Today U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), who will servenas a super delegate to the Democratic National Convention, endorsed BaracknObama for President of the United States of America. Larsen released thenfollowing statement:

"Today I am endorsing Senator Barack Obama for President. I believe Senator Obama is the best candidate to turn our country's hopes for a better future into reality.

"This week, Senator Obama has proven that he is tough and resilient. He has shown that he can take a pounding, come back and continue to communicate with the public to deliver his message of hope and change.

"In my district, Senator Obama has strong grassroots support. He has inspired and energized my constituents like no other candidate.

"I believe that Senator Obama will be the best President for our country. I have been particularly impressed by Senator Obama's truth-telling on a proposed gas tax policy - a proposal which would make little or no difference for Americans paying too much at the pump.

"Our country faces great challenges. As President, I believe that Barack Obama can unite our country to overcome obstacles and deliver real change."

 

 

Sen. Chris MarrState Sen. Chris Marr (D-Spokane) wrote an op-ed for Spokane's Inlander Wednesday criticizing Dino Rossi's transportation plan. Marr admits that Rossi's plan seems too good to be true for the many folks stuck on clogged roads twice a day, five days a week, and he tries to show that it is too good to be true.

"Watching Dino Rossi roll out his $15.5 billion transportation plan in Spokane last month, it would have been hard for the average commuter to resist the temptation to join Representatives John Ahern and Lynn Schindler, Spokane County Commissioner Todd Mielke and local city officials such as Nancy McLaughlin and Diana Wilhite in singing its praises," Marr said in his editorial.

But Marr claims the plan is built upon a "$10 billion raid on the general fund" that "that steals scarce dollars from schools, health care and our prison system and continues lopsided funding for Seattle area projects."

The New York Times has listed Washington superdelegate Sharon Mast as a committed Clinton supporter, but the News-Tribune spotted that and checked up with Mast who indeed said that she is still uncommitted.

"In real life," Mast told the TNT, "I know where I'm at, which is uncommitted."

So it remains that all of Washington state's DNC superdelegates are uncommitted, save Pat Notter who supports Obama.