WASINGTON- Governor Locke declines to run for third term

[CarlBallard]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/aplocal_story.asp?category=6420&slug=WA%20Locke

"OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Gov. Gary Locke announced Monday that he won't seek a third term next year, opting for more family time and "a normal life." His decision set off a scramble for succession.

"Within minutes, Attorney General Christine Gregoire, a Locke ally, announced she will seek the Democratic nomination next year. Former Supreme Court Justice Phil Talmadge already is running, and King County Executive Ron Sims and U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee also are mentioned as possible Democratic candidates."

So who do you guys want to run replace him? I saw Talmadge at my legislative district meeting 6 months or so ago, and thought he was pretty good, but I don't know much about him. Sims has some good name recognition, and is the best public speaker in the state, but he's lost a statewide election, and Sound Transit is a mess, although that isn't totally his fault, alot of blame is his. I don't know if Gregoire has taken any positions that I agree with or not outside her roll as AG but she's been pretty good with lawsuits against the Tobacco companies and Enron. Inslee is my favorite if he runs. He's my Rep and he's been great. He got elected to this Suburban district in '98 basicall saying he wouldn't vote for impeachment. He fought for pricecaps durring the Energy crisis, he's been anti war, and he's generally been a thorn in the Bush Admin's side at all the right times.

[SeattleDem]

1. some discussion already

on the LBN thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=25802&mesg_id=25802&page=

I am holding off on opinions until we see who all enters. I planned to vote for Talmadge over Locke in the primary but I would probably support Gregoire over him now.

Inslee would be my top choice, but I don't know that he'll enter the race since Gregoire already has. Time will tell...