ChangMook Sohn

Rep. Jim McIntire, candidate for state treasurer: Politicker PhotoState Rep. Jim McIntire, who retired this year in order to make a run for state treasurer, appears well-positioned to continue on to the general election despite the presence of fellow Democrat ChangMook Sohn in the primary, the well-funded and well-respected chief economist for the state. It was widely expected to be one of the closest races of the night between second and third place candidates.

At the end of the night McIntire narrowly trailed Assistant State Treasurer Allan Martin, a Republican, in statewide polling but held a large lead over Sohn. With 766,357 votes counted, Martin had 44.3 percent of the vote compared to 40.7 percent for McIntire and 15.0 percent for Sohn.

Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon (D-Everett) and King County Executive Ron Sims (D-Seattle) both announced this week that they are endorsing Chang Mook Sohn (D-Federal Way) for state treasurer.

Reardon cited the expertise of Sohn, who has served as the state's chief economist since the 1980s, on the state's economy and his political integrity in making his choice.

"No one knows Washington state's economy better than ChangMook Sohn," said Reardon."Dr. Sohn never changed the facts to satisfy politicians' spending plans. He just told it like it was - and he was always right."

UPDATE:

Sims, who also endorses Rep. Jim McIntire (D-Seattl) for the post, banked on Sohn's long experience in praising Sohn.

"Dr. Sohn has the experience to be state treasurer: he's been the state's top economist for more than two decades; he's founded a bank; and he's taught economics at two state universities," Sims said.

TVW has launched a video voters' guide on their website featuring eight minute video statements from statewide candidates. The videos began airing on television Monday and will continue to run through the August 19, 2008 primary.

Nearly every candidate gave a statement, though notably absent are state insurance commissioner candidates Curt Fackler (U-Spokane) and state treasurer candidate Chang Mook Sohn (D-Federal Way), both of whom cited scheduling conflicts for their absence.

TCH's Chris Mulick has compiled a list of some of the state's notable fundraisers for March over on his Olympia Dispatch blog.

Rep. Steve Kirby (D-Tacoma) stood out among sitting legislators, bringing in $11,660 between March 14 and March 31. It is also worth noting that Kirby's seat is currently uncontested.  read more »

Multiple sources are reporting this morning that ChangMook Sohn, the director of the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council, has announced his bid to run for State Treasurer. Sohn, the state's chief economist, will run as a Democrat, and according to his website will tout his economic bona fides and bipartisan stature in his race for the office.