After rivalling Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) for the prize of most protracted exploration of a campaign, two-time gubernatorial loser Dino Rossi finally made the call--he will challenge Democratic Senator Patty Murray this fall:
Former state senator and two-time GOP gubernatorial nominee Dino Rossi ended months of speculation this morning, announcing by video that he will run against U.S. Sen. Patty Murray in this fall’s elections.
Rossi, who has been neck-and-neck with Murray in some polls, had long hinted at a possible run. Speculation intensified this week as anonymous reports from his camp predicted his entry within the next few days. Rossi announced Tuesday afternoon on his Facebook page that friends and supporters should "Be sure to check www.dinorossi.com tomorrow at 7 a.m. for an important update." A five-minute video was posted on that site this morning in which Rossi explains his decision to run.
Rossi sets up another in a series of contests between potentially well-funded establishment candidates (Rossi had been heavily recruited by DC Republicans, including the NRSC) and the GOP insurgency best exemplified by the teabaggers.
Just listen to what one tea party leader in the Evergreen State had to say about Rossi:
"Rossi is too establishment to get the tea partiers all fired up," said (Lawrence) Hutt, a paralegal from Wauna. "He's not going to fan the flames of any tea partiers I know."
So which candidate holds the heart of Washington state teabaggers? That, it seems, might be the saving grace for Rossi. That support might well be dispersed among multiple candidates.
There are at least two candidates angling for the mantle of "authentic conservative values" guy. One, Clint Didier, has already been endorsed by Sarah Palin (who, as LA Times blogger Johanna Neuman noted, is having a really lousy week). The other is self-funding businessman Paul Akers, whose campaign rationale is based entirely on being a political outsider.
Didier, for one, made it clear immediately that he will not stand down now that Rossi has finally decided to crap, rather than get off the pot:
"He is part of the Republican establishment - all you have to do is look at those he surrounds himself with. I don't believe he's the conservative people think he is.
If people want more of the same, the McCain or Bush type of governing, then they can support Dino. If they want the change they missed the last time, then they can support me."
Rossi won't just face internecine fire. Washington Governor Christine Gregoire fired off a pre-emptive strike yesterday, blasting Rossi to reporters as an empty suit who has accomplished little in his career.
The Washington primary is scheduled to be held on August 17th. Public polls on the race have focused on the general election, and generally show Murray with a modest lead over Rossi.