Former state Rep. John Koster has been in damage control mode. (Douglas Graham/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
In this election, some candidates have made unguarded comments at off-the-record fundraisers, while others have drawn fire for impolitic comments about women and rape.
Former state Rep. John Koster (R) has managed to do both. Koster, who remains closely tied with Democrat Suzan DelBene in Washington State’s 1st district, has been in damage control mode since Wednesday, when a progressive group released a secretly recorded audiotape of him saying that “the rape thing” does not justify abortion.
In the audiotape, posted on YouTube by the progressive group Fuse Washington, Koster responds to an unseen questioner who asks him: “Is there any time that you would agree with abortion?”
Koster’s reply includes the comment: “On the rape thing, it’s like: How does putting more violence onto a woman’s body and taking the life of an innocent child that’s the consequence of this crime – how does that make it better?”
Republican John Koster finished first in the top-two primary in Washington's 1st district. He faces a very competitive race this fall. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
Democrats received some good news tonight, as former Microsoft executive Suzan DelBene (D) advanced to the general election in the top-two primary for Washington state’s open 1st district.
DelBene, who self-funded her primary campaign, will have the early edge in the general election against Snohomish County Councilman John Koster (R).
The Associated Press called the race with 41 percent of precincts reporting. Koster led with 44 percent, followed by DelBene with 23 percent. Behind them were three Democrats: former Microsoft manager Darcy Burner with 15 percent, former state Rep. Laura Ruderman with 7 percent and state Sen. Steve Hobbs with 7 percent.
Koster and DelBene are both looking to win after defeats in different Congressional districts in 2010. Koster lost to Rep. Rick Larsen (D) in the 2nd district, and DelBene lost to Rep. Dave Reichert (R) in the 8th district. Full story
Three Democrats are in a close battle for second place in the all-party primary for Washington’s 1st district, a poll released today found, with ballots hitting voters’ mailboxes by the end of this week.
Snohomish County Councilman John Koster, the lone Republican, took 36 percent in the poll conducted by Seattle-based consulting firm Strategies 360. Full story
Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) called for a special election to fill the seat of former Rep. Jay Inslee (D), setting up a confusing situation as a result of redistricting.
The special election will be held concurrently with the regular election schedule, with the primary on Aug. 7 and the general on Nov. 6. Voters will have representation for the last two months of the year, but that means candidates running for both a full term and in the special will be running under two different sets of lines at the same time. Full story
Retiring Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) endorsed state Sen. Derek Kilmer to replace him in the 6th district, a move that could keep the Democratic field cleared for Kilmer.
“Derek’s career has been spent trying to retain and attract good jobs for our region and Congress needs more people with that kind of experience,” the Appropriations Committee ranking member said in a statement Thursday. “He’s hard-working, effective, and he’s committed to bringing people together to get the job done.” Full story
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) is heading back to Washington state next month, stoking speculation he might be considering a comeback bid on the West Coast.
But this may not be just any cross-country speaking trip. Last year, Kucinich flirted with running for a new House seat in the Evergreen State before seeking re-election in a redrawn Ohio district against his longtime colleague, Rep. Marcy Kaptur.
Kaptur walloped Kucinich by a 14-point margin in the Democratic primary earlier this month. But since his defeat, the 65-year-old hasn’t exactly ruled out another run somewhere, at some point in time. Full story
Washington state Sen. Derek Kilmer today became the first Democrat to announce for the seat of retiring Rep. Norm Dicks (D).
“Norm Dicks may be the best Congressman in the history of Washington State,” Kilmer said in a statement. “No one can fill his shoes, but I’ll work to continue his legacy of fighting for jobs and standing up for the little guy.” Full story
Darcy Burner holds a wide lead among Democrats running in Washington state’s open 1st district, according to an internal poll released today by her campaign.
The poll, conducted by Lake Research Partners, found Burner with 45 percent among voters who picked a Democrat in the top-two primary. Burner was followed by former state Rep. Laura Ruderman with 15 percent, state Sen. Steve Hobbs with 13 percent, former Microsoft executive Suzan DelBene with 12 percent, state Rep. Roger Goodman with 10 percent and tech executive Darshan Rauniyar with 5 percent. Full story
