Chopp unwavering on legislative strategies in wake of 'top two'

DENVER - The Democratic Speaker of the state House of Representatives, Seattle's Frank Chopp, is well known in political circles for his planning and dedication to building a long-term Democratic majority in Olympia. Just like with the Republicans, every other year provides a chance to gradually build up or chip away at the current lead, depending on what side you are on.

But despite all the projections and planning, did last week's "top two" primary results change the leadership's picture of which races to focus on going into November? Chopp says no.

"It really hasn't affected our game plan for November," Chopp said. "The people that got through the primaries were the ones we thought would get through the primary and we are focused, like we always are."

The Speaker was also pleased with a handful of incumbents across the state who outperformed expectations. He singled out Rep. Kevin Van De Wege of Sequim, who moved on to the general election in the 24th Legislative District with 66 percent of the vote.

"That is definitely more than I thought he would get in the primary," Chopp said, and added that he felt that the low turnout and August timeframe was bad for Democrats. "He did very well."

Chopp then said that the Democrats best chance for picking up seats was with Marcie Maxwell in the 41st Legislative District, Tim Knue in LD 10, Tim Probst in the 17th LD.

Another candidate high on the Democrats list, especially after the primary, is Carol Moser of Richland. She recently polled at 38 percent in the 8th Legislative District and will face Brad Klippert who came out of a crowded Republican field with 19 percent of the vote.

When asked about Moser distancing herself from Governor Chris Gregoire recently on the failed Areva nuclear deal, Chopp seemed unconcerned.

"She has to represent her district and her conscience and I think she needs to be attuned to the people of her district," Chopp said. "That is why it is called representative. But she has always spoken highly to me of the governor. Everybody has some policy differences, and that is fine."

Chopp was also cautiously optimistic about Democrats' chances in Spokane, an area he said that they "never take for granted."

"We've got a lot of work to do there in the 6th District," he said of Rep. Don Barlow's race. He recently moved on to face challenger Kevin Parker, who defeated fellow Republican Mel Lindauer in a high profile battle to take on the freshman legislator.

"For a low turnout primary which trends conservative I thought we did pretty well. Particularly since there was a Republican primary, and yet we still did quite well comparatively. We do not at all think that it is an easy flight we are going to just go all out there."