Mike Kreidler

Jim Camden at the Spokesman-Review caught one of the state's more interesting filings this morning. Somewhat out of the blue, Spokane County Republican Party Chair Curtis Fackler decided to run against Democrat Mike Kreidler for state Insurance Commissioner.

But that's barely half the story. Far more noteworthy is Fackler's party preference. For the "top two" ballot, Fackler has filed under "no party preference." He says it was a strategic decision. Check out how the story goes in the Spokesman-Review below the jump.

State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler announced today that he will seek re-election this fall to the office he has held for eight years, according to The Olympian.

“Washington consumers deserve a strong and independent leader to protect their right to prompt and fair treatment by insurers at reasonable costs,” said Kreidler in his announcement.