Chris Tudor

SEATTLE -- Gubernatorial candidate Christopher Tudor (I-Seattle) held his campaign kickoff Wednesday night at the South Lake Union Armory. The gathering was smaller than expected, with about 40 people in attendance. As a result of the intimate gathering, made to appear even smaller in the cavernous venue, Tudor opted not to give a major speech in favor of addressing those in attendance personally.

Tudor, already well accomplished in the corporate world for his age, he is in his early thirties, whisked his way around the gymnasium with a wide smile and a ready answer for any question brought his way, whether it was about partisan politics (he does not like it), transportation policy (he thinks Washington needs more regional transit) or marijuana use (he has never tried it).

Christopher TudorAs Brad Shannon at The Olympian reported Monday, independent candidate Chris Tudor has announced a bid for the governor's mansion, and will begin his campaign with a kickoff event and nominating convention at the Lake Union Armory building armory building Wednesday, May 7. The event begins at 3:30, and Tudor tells PolitickerWA.com that he will speak at some time around 6:00 PM.

Tudor said he was disappointed by the fact that 2008's gubernatorial race essentially provides voters with the same choices as 2004, when he reluctantly supported Gov. Chris Gregoire. He believes voters need more choices than Republican and Democrat, and he intends to personally give them that choice. His campaign will focus on creating a better environment for small businesses and providing solutions on the environment, education and transportation.

According to his website, Tudor is the proprietor of the University District's College Inn Hotel, executive principal at Dickinson Equipment Company, and is on the board of Travelodge hotels. Tudor says he is committed to the race, and is willing to self-finance part of his campaign. So far he has hired one staffer, Jennifer Carroll, who was a past spokesman for the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers and Seattle SuperSonics.