In a somewhat surprising turn of events, this past week saw the Republican field in the race for the 1st Congressional District narrow to one; without a single vote being cast. On Thursday, retired Air Force Lt. Colonel, Greg Anders of Bellingham announced he was dropping out of the race. A message on his website said,
“In recent days, however, it has become clear that I will no longer be able to give my campaign for Congress the complete attention it deserves. My decision to withdraw from the race does not come lightly but after much discussion with supporters, close advisors and especially family. It is time for me to step aside to allow others to carry the message of freedom, rule of law and prosperity forward. Rest assured, those who espouse those principles will always have my ardent support.”
Then, on Friday night at a meeting of state Republicans in Ocean Shores, Kirkland Republican, James Watkins announced his withdrawal from the race and immediately endorsed the remaining Republican candidate, John (Freedom County) Koster. Watkins issued a press release that said,
“In my view, the only way to win this seat for fiscally conservative Washingtonians is to unite behind a single candidate RIGHT NOW. So today, I'm withdrawing from the race and will support and endorse John Koster.”
Oddly enough, on Thursday night Watkins was in Seattle as the sole Republican in a forum sponsored by the liberal Metropolitan Democratic Club where he faced off against 5 of the 6 Democratic candidates.
Both Anders and Watkins insist that they were not pressured to fold up their tents but, given that the Democrats are left to sort out a six person field, it is hard to imagine that state Republicans would not want to avoid anything that resembles their current national contest for the presidential nomination. In fact, Watkins inferred as much in his press release,
“Several weeks ago, I heard a venomous radio ad from a Republican Presidential Candidate attacking a fellow candidate – it was revolting. But it did cause me to reevaluate my goals in running for Congress.”
With the two men dropping out of the race so early, Koster will be able to sew up the pockets of support from the north and south that might otherwise have gone to Anders and Watkins, respectively. While the common wisdom all along has been that Koster would be the Republican who advances through the Top Two primary in August, the fact that he now stands alone give the Democrats the advantage of preparing their general election strategy against a known opponent; whereas Koster may not know until right up to the primary who his Democratic opponent will be.
Having lost twice to Democrat, Rick Larsen in the 2nd CD, the knock on Koster was that he was too extreme for the more Democratic leaning urban portions of that district. You can be sure that those charges will still be at the forefront of the 2012 campaign as the urban centers shifted away from the western portions of Snohomish County to the Northern sections of King County where Jay Inslee has won with ease over every challenger; including 2010’s crushing defeat of one James Watkins.
Peace,
Chad Shue
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