LD2

The Tacoma News-Tribune is reporting that the 2nd Legislative District Democrats are taking steps to clarify their endorsement of Pierce County Councilman Calvin Goings (D-Puyallup) for Pierce County Executive. Specifically, they hope to make it clear that they have not endorsed Pierce County Auditor Pat McCarthy (D-Tacoma).

Back in January the Democrats had decided that, with respect to the county's ranked choice ballot, they were comfortable with both Goings and McCarthy campaigning and identifying as Democrats, but they preferred Goings for the post.

However, McCarthy took that decision as an "endorsement" and cited it on her website and in mailings. This angered some LD2 Democrats, and they met on Monday to clarify their position. See an excerpt from their press release below.

JeanMarie Christenson has announced that she was chosen as the official Democratic nominee for state House position 1 in the 2nd Legislative District at their nomination meeting Monday. In her press release, Christenson says she won the weighted PCO vote handily, receiving 128 votes to 27 for Yelm businessman Chuck Collins and 26 for former Eatonville Councilman Raymond Harper.

"I will continue to dedicate myself, and work diligently for all the folks in our District and State, to help make sure everyone has a future worth walking into," Christenson said in her release.

Christenson was also the Democratic nominee for this seat in 2006, when she lost to Rep. Jim McCune by 5,000 votes. According to a report by the Tacoma News-Tribune earlier this spring, Collins was recruited by House leadership to join the race, but he only recently moved into the district.

UPDATE: 2nd Legislative District Chair Bob Chaimberlain confirms that Christenson was chosen as the official Democratic nominee for State Rep. Also at the meeting, Chamberlain said the body moved to endorse the other candidates, Ray Harper and Chuck Collins, as worthy nominees. 

Rep. Jim McCune, the 2nd District Republican from Graham, is telling supporters that he is the target of a ruthless left-wing attack spearheaded by Speaker of the House Frank Chopp (D-Seattle) according the TNT's Political Buzz. He calls Chopp's tactics " slashing" and "slanderous".

McCune, who says in a fundraising letter that he is one of two remaining Pierce County Republicans in the House, has three Democratic opponents in his race. They are Jean Marie Christiansen, who ran in 2006, former Orting Councilman Raymond Harper, and recent entry Chuck Collins, who the TNT reported was recruited by state Democrats and is likely the impetus for McCune's worries.

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 TNT's Political Buzz is reporting that Yelm businessman Chuck Collins will run for State Representative as a Democrat this year in rural Pierce County's 2nd District, position 1 against incumbent Rep. Jim McCune (R-Graham).

In a press release Collins, a former U.S. Forest Service firefighter, ranger and Department of Energy Program Manager says he'll focus on "the three E's - education, the economy, and the environment" if elected to the Legislature.