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Inslee comes to town, Ladenburg jumps races and Muri tries again

A look at the last week in T-Town and Pierce County

A really big photo of U.S. Congressman Jay Inslee

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What better way to celebrate America's independence than with news and rumors about an election that's a year and a half away. This week saw visits from hopeful representatives, declarations of candidacies, and even a heavyweight change his mind. Forget the fact that we have a 2011 election to decide in a few short months - this week it was all about 2012.

A Visit from the Future Gov?

Tuesday morning Washington gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Congressman Jay Inslee paid Tacoma a visit, speaking at the IBEW hall on South 36th Street. The News Tribune's Peter Callaghan was in attendance, reporting "The Bainbridge Island Democrat pitched himself as the person who can work with both labor and business to exploit the state's leadership in technology fields like software, clean energy and aerospace."

Inslee has long been rumored in liberal circles as the favorite to win the Democrat's nomination, although popular State Auditor Brian Sontag is reported to be considering a run. Many, especially young, local Democrats, had been hoping charismatic King County Executive Dow Constantine would jump in the ring. However, last week on his personal Facebook account Constantine gushed about Inslee's candidacy and vowed to help him get elected.  

The favorite to win the republication nomination is two-term Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna. An experienced politician with a lot for the Right to celebrate and worry about, I will say one thing about McKenna: He is a hell of a lot more formidable than Dino Rossi.  

Ladenburg Jumps Races

Former Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg announced this week he has decided to run for State Supreme Court rather than Attorney General. "I spent months deliberating but I feel confident in my decision," Ladenburg says in a press release.

"The Supreme Court needs candidates with broad experience in law," he explains in the release. "While I have experience in public policy that would benefit an Attorney General, my passion is in the law and the Supreme Court needs experienced attorneys as it goes through expected big transitions."

(Alert, the following is pure speculation!) Ladenburg's switch now leaves only two candidates for Attorney General, both members of the King County Council. The move potentially opens up the race for Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. 

Muri Again to Challenge Smith

Pierce County Council Member Dick Muri announced this week he will make another run for U.S. Congress in 2012, likely again challenging long-time 9th District Congressman, Adam Smith. Muri gave Smith a good fight in 2010 and would likely do so again.

Somewhere Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy is breathing a sigh of relief, as many expected Muri to challenge her rather than again pursue federal office.

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