In a predictable move, state Rep. Jaime Herrera, R-18th LD, announced she is running for Congress in WA-03 within hours of incumbent Brian Baird’s announcement that he will not run again.
Herrera took office in the 18th after former Rep. Richard Curtis stepped down in the wake of an unseemly sex scandal.
While it’s a smart move by the GOP, as Herrera comes across as articulate and smart, she’s also untested in a big-name campaign. But her entry does seem to dim the chances of other announced Republicans David Castillo, Jon Russell and David Hedrick. (Those three are, to use some quick shorthand, a former Bush official (Castillo) who seemed to be the establishment nominee until today, a “Faith and Freedom” guy (Russell (who didn’t seem to be getting anywhere, and a man famous only for screaming at Baird at a town maul in August (Hedrick.)))
On the Democratic side, the names being bandied about include state Senator Craig Pridemore of Vancouver, Rep. Deb Wallace of Vancouver, Rep. Brendan Williams of Olympia, and Cowlitz County Commissioner Axel Swanson.
And as for the usual discussion about what kind of district the Third is, well, it’s a swing district pure and simple. It’s kind of weird how people from outside the district perceive it sometimes as either “Olympia area,” which it’s not because Olympia now has only a small slice, or as some kind of uber-red stronghold, which it’s also not, because Clark County has changed dramatically over the last ten to fifteen years with new residents. Lewis County is very Republican, of course, but other than that a solid Democrat can do well in Cowlitz and Pacific.
The largest county by population is Clark, of course, so being from Clark County is perceived as an advantage.
The district went for Obama, but there is a large and boisterous conservative movement and a well-organized Republican Party machine that utilizes talk radio and newspapers to the fullest advantage. There is a giant, gaping media hole in Clark County, which is generally ignored on the political front by the dominant Portland media, which allows plenty of space for the GOP to operate.
The GOP types probably think they have an advantage going in, and maybe they do in a generic sense, but until the candidate field sorts itself out, I’d say anything could happen. As in any election, turnout and enthusiasm will be critical, and maybe a fresh face on the Democratic side can help motivate folks.
LOLz at this headline. Like anybody knows who Richard Curtis is. Unless you add the part about him being the one who got blackmailed by a male prostitute he tried to solicit for unprotected sex. But by the time you explain all that, you’re being kind of deceitful, because Rep. Herrera would have been appointed to that seat whether Richard Curtis killed a hooker or was appointed U.N. Ambassador. Of course, this is all just par for the course for you Jon.
“Rep. Herrera would have been appointed to that seat whether Richard Curtis killed a hooker or was appointed U.N. Ambassador”
But those things didn’t happen, did they?
From the police report.
@3 but what does that have to do with Rep. Herrera?
It would be like characterizing George W. Bush as “the man who assumed the office vacated by Bill Clinton. Clinton, you’ll recall, was the subject of this woman’s testimony:
If you’re going to attack Bush, attack Bush. There are a million ways to criticize the guy, both in terms of his policies and even HIS character. But it’s absurd to attack him for somebody else’s character when their only connection is holding the same office.
Points to Ponder
(Yes, I used to read Reader’s Digest in my misspent youth)
$1.2 trillion of the $1.46 trillion that Karl Rove claims the the federal deficit has “grown” since Barack Obama came into office was Bush deficit spending (or obligations to spend) that was/were already on the books on January 20, 2009.
To quote little Tommy Friedman: Suck. On. This.
@3 I’m not saying that Herrera is tainted by the previous officeholder’s behavior. That is to say, she is no more tainted than any other Republican has been by the long procession of Republican moral scandals. The thought is that if Rep. Curtis had been a person of higher moral character then Rep. Herrera would not occupy the office Curtis once held. If not for the exposure of his moral failings, it might well be Richard Curtis being talked up as a Republican candidate for Baird’s seat.
I am a Baird supporter and will miss his leadership.
Should be an interesting election. The local media will be happy with all of the national money that will pour in on advertising for both sides.
2010 will be the last election under current congressional boundaries. The 3rd will likely shrink into Clark County for the 2012 redistrict – and that will be a whole new ball game!
@5 That’s a tenuous implication. If Ronald Reagan were the Messiah, we probably could have convinced enough people to abolish the whole term limits thing, and he’d still be president. If the centerpiece of your argument is “if only history had been different,” your argument usually isn’t very strong.
Add State Rep. Jim Moeller (D-49) to the mix as well, at least according to The Olympian’s story.
I really like Jim, but it would be stretch to see him winning district-wide.
Steve, Slippery,
I’m long past ready to have a Republican running for office that isn’t tainted moral scandals or by associating with cretins. Lets give Herrera an un-prejudged, honest, shot at the seat.
Does the district include Olympia? I would think that Sam Hunt would be a likely candidate.
Don’t forget the above posting Novoselic. His name recognition may pull in Repubs, as well as Democrats.
Does she have a degree in economics from Harvard? Darcy does. Darcy hugs rabbits, too!
http://4.media.tumblr.com/XjUp.....o1_500.jpg
Oops, wrong picture — that’s not Darcy. Disregard above link and click on this one instead:
http://images.inmagine.com/img.....000067.jpg
WA-3 should be represented by a Democrat, not by Herrera or Baird.
@1 You hicks down there in Hick County must think Seattleites don’t know who your local Republicans are fucking. You’re wrong! You guys are the best entertainment since Enumclaw. Neigh!!!
“Apparently the news about Larry Craig didn’t make it to La Center. That’s where Republican Rep. Richard Curtis lives. There’s really no other way to figure out why Curtis thought he could call the cops, tell them every little detail of his sexual encounter with a man he picked up at an “erotic boutique,” and expect the matter would be kept quiet. Craig, of course, thought that pleading guilty in Minneapolis would keep his alleged airport bathroom cruising quiet.”
http://blog.seattletimes.nwsou.....quiet.html
Mike Barer is too kind – but count me out. I’m happy living on the mouth of the river.
Baird was real good on Liquified Natural Gas on the Columbia, his trip to Gaza and associated statements took courage, and he understood the district. DeVore is right, the third is a swing district. There are many conservatives and blue collar Dems among all of the timber.
Baird would have won in 2010. But 2012 might have been a different story – again we’ll see what the district looks like after it gets pulled into Clark County with reapportionment.
The police report should be framed and hung in police stations all over the state as an inspiration on how to write police reports:
“For some reason Curtis told police a story with great detail about his night with Cody Castagna. He told them where they met, what they did, where they did it, and where in the hotel room police could find DNA evidence of his tryst. He volunteered to give a swab of his cheek so police could have a sample of his DNA. He didn’t seem to hold anything back, though he waved investigators away from the bag with the nylon rope and toy stethoscope in it, saying it had nothing to do with the matter at hand. The detective wrote in his report:
“I told Curtis that I wanted to collect evidence in this case so that it could be secured in case it was ever needed in the future. If he wished no further action taken, I would still have any critical evidence in case he changed his mind or the suspect continued to threaten Curtis in the future. I told Curtis that the toothpaste was already out of the tube. Curtis told me he was just trying to ‘put the cap back on the tube.’ I told Curtis that the suspect may victimize other people in the future and Curtis acknowledged that part of his job was to protect people in the State of Washington. Lt. McGovern told Curtis no matter what happened, we would have to document the case in report form regardless of whether or not the case was prosecuted. Curtis said he wished he would have just paid the additional money to the suspect because he didn’t wish the case to be prosecuted. If the incident became public it could cost him his marriage and career.”
http://blog.seattletimes.nwsou.....quiet.html
Oh yeah, and before I forget, Richard Curtis is a REPUBLICAN.
HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR
@3 It’s relevant to Herrera’s bad judgment in choosing to be a Republican. You know — the people who start wars based on lies, kidnap and torture innocent people, wreck entire economies, oppose health care reform, crash White House dinners, think the earth is flat, and fuck horses.
@4 “(Yes, I used to read Reader’s Digest in my misspent youth)”
I wouldn’t admit that if I were you. It could hurt your career.
@7 Reagan wasn’t nearly as much as adoring wingnuts crack him up to be. Gorbachev is underrated, and John Paul II was the giant who dominated the moral landscape of that period.
Ok with Krist out, Sam Hunt or maybe Brad Owens may want a job that actually means something.
@20 We need a Democrat in that seat, not Owens.
I’m afraid that’s the brand of Democrat that sells in that neck of the woods.
Only in today’s political world could Herrerra be taken seriously. Quick, name one thing she has accomplished in elected office? Anyone? Ok, name one thing she accomplished in her life beyond getting a legislative appointment, of any note? Oh, now that I looked, the answer is nothing,zero, nada. She got appointed to the seat and won in a solid Repub district.
Another empty repub suit with a nice smile and face, and no record to attack, because she has not done anything. She makes Michele Bachman look smart. And since she is Hispanic and attractive, the Repubs can put her up on stage at events and conventions for window dressing.
Heck, their past candidates like Zarelli at least had substance and street smarts, or like Benton who has some guts and convictions, even if I may disagree with both of them.
I thought Repubs said they believe in earning your way? Oh yeah, I forgot about the last eight years- Shrub, who was born on third base and thought he hit a triple. Oh, and Palin…
Wow, I fear for the Republic if this is the best we can do.
Hey, Krist,
Why not? Congress could use some alt. Grays Harbor County would certainly go your way. If only we could give Lewis County to the 4th District . . .
RR @ 12
Thanks. Please label your links as NSFW as needed.
Smart move by Herrera. With the leadership vacuum in the GOP, it’s a great opportunity. Being so new, she has very little baggage
Herrera interned for Bush The Lesser and worked policy for Morris-Rogers. She’s doesn’t appear to be a teabagger, but her degree from UofW didn’t make a dent in her cookie cutter “conservative” ideology.
Create jobs by cutting taxes.
Since cuts to government health care plans results in increased premiums, those plans should be cut further.
Thinks our Basic Health Plan would be better if it issued vouchers to be used with private insurers.
In response to vigilantes and paramilitaries shooting unarmed refugees trying to survive Hurricane Katrina, Herrera wants to make sure we can still pack heat during a natural disaster. This one I might actually support, even if Herrera is right for the wrong reasons.
I am pleased to note Herrera’s leadership role in support of renaming highways and business crushing license plate replacement fees.
I read some of David Castillo’s writings, including his blog. It’s terrible.
He’s a Reaganomics (supply side) ideologue. And that’s pretty much it.
I was amused that he linked to Onvia’s recovery.com instead of our government’s recovery.org. Seemed petty.
After a brief look at both, I think I’d prefer to face Castillo instead of Herrera in the general. But with this blasted top two primary scheme Reed cooked up, I can’t even guess how this will play out.
Hererra is an extremely attractive candidate for the district. Dwight needs to get down there and sort things out so there’s no food fight among democrats that paves the way for her.
Brad Owen lives in the 6th CD but if you’re looking for a wacky conservative Dem, take a peek at Senator Brian Hatfield!
@25 What’s NSFW? … Never mind, I just figured it out.