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| There's an old idea in Washington politics that a "Cascade Curtain" divides east from west. This blog tackles the political issues that matter to Eastern Washingtonians, from Congress on down to your local irrigation district. Join the conversation by commenting or e-mailing Herald political reporter Michelle Dupler at mdupler@tricityherald.com |
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closeWednesday, Aug. 19, 2009
Gotts back in 15th District race
By Michelle Dupler, Herald staff writer
One of the more surprising stories to come out of Tuesday's primary is Democrat John "Jobs" Gotts of White Salmon appearing to advance to the general election in the race for 15th district state representative.
Gotts, an internet entrepreneur, had dropped out of the race to head south to California on business, but somehow raked in enough votes to overcome the Democratic Party’s annointed candidate, Donicio Marichalar of Grandview.
Gotts earned 2,143 votes, or 19 percent, in the primary compared to Marichalar's 1,781 votes, or 16 percent, under early returns Tuesday night.
Gotts called me today to say he's back in the race and plans to campaign hard after seeing the primary results. He plans to return to White Salmon early next week.
He previously ran for 15th District state representative in 2008 and lost to incumbent Bruce Chandler, R-Granger.
"Maybe my message from 2008 got out," he said.
This time he faces off against newcomer David Taylor, a Moxee Republican appointed to the seat in March after former Rep. Dan Newhouse was tapped to head the state’s agriculture department.
Taylor had a strong lead in the primary with 7,466 votes, or 66 percent, so Gotts may have a hard fight ahead to win votes in the rural, conservative district that covers Klickitat, Skamania and parts of Yakima and Clark counties.
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