Jim Dunn not finished with politics, will run again

[Chief]

http://columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/04/04162008_Jim-Dunn-not-finished-with-politics-will-run-again.cfm

Wednesday, April 16, 2008
By KATHIE DURBIN, Columbian Staff Writer

State Rep. Jim Dunn said Wednesday he will run for reelection this year even though he was stripped of his committee assignments in the 2008 Legislature and faces both a Republican and a Democratic opponent in the August primary.



“I’m going to run,” he told The Columbian. “I have to get on the ball and start raising money.”

Dunn, who represents the 17th District, said he decided to make the run “because I think there’s a lot that needs to be done and is not getting done yet.

"We’re still spending way too much money.”

He said he expects his committee assignments to be restored in 2009 if he wins reelection.

“The caucus indicated there shouldn’t be any problems,” Dunn said. “I’d sit in wherever the caucus wanted me to go.”

The House Republican leadership took away Dunn’s committee assignments and travel reimbursement privileges after he made an offensive remark to a female legislative staff member at a social gathering in Kennewick last November.

Dunn acknowledged at the time that the comment was inappropriate but said the punishment was disproportionate.

Still, with Republicans so outnumbered by Democrats in the House, he said, “the committees weren’t that important anyway.”

He will face Democratic Party activist Tim Probst, the executive director of the Washington Work Force Association, and Republican Joseph James, the owner of a pet boarding business, in the August top two primary. Other candidates could enter the race before the June 6 filing deadline.

Kathie Durbin covers politics and the Legislature. Reach her at 360-735-4523 or e-mail kathie.durbin@columbian.com

[Chief]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/SeniorChieftain/LOCAL%20POLITICS/Dunn2.jpg

Who does Dunn think he's kidding?

It's obvious he doesn't take the job seriously, and it's obvious nobody in Olympia takes him seriously. This is not about Jim Dunn trying to get a job done, it's about Jim Dunn making sure the taxpayers buy him lunch for another 2 years.

As promised, I will do everything I can to defeat this man.

Game on Jim.

[Fisticuffs]

Wow, I sense... anger...

Just show up at the convention with that... spread it around a bit... yeah :P

[pdxlady]

Still, with Republicans so outnumbered by Democrats in the House, he said, “the committees weren’t that important anyway.”

Realistically -I don't care what side is outnumbered. Committees are important no matter what. And if you are a respected legislator you can get things by working together no matter what your party. Isn't is about being the best legislator you can be - building coalitions, working for the good of the people, being responsible representatives? Hmm, at least I thought so.

The next few years are going to be critical for SW Washington. It is time for the people of the 17th to use their voting voice and make a decision that is beneficial to our citizenry. And, in my opinion, that is not to re-elect Jim Dunn, the man who votes No on everything even if others in his party think it is beneficial to the State and they all vote yes.

I don't have a lot of time to visit or post often - but this comment was something I felt compelled to respond to since I had a moment.

[Chief]

Wow, I sense... anger...

Just show up at the convention with that... spread it around a bit... yeah :P

You're on. I guarantee that people will know who the guy is with the Cleveland Indians hat, and I'll bet you a burger that Dunn doesn't have the stones to come out there...

Anger? Betcherass! This guy is supposed to be my conduit to Olympia, and if he can't even sit on a committee, what good is he? PDXlady shares my dim view of Dunn's attitude toward Committees...

My opinion of Jim Dunn has never been a secret here at Clarkblog.org, and I guarantee you my views on Dunn are more consistent than he is on just about anything...

OBTW, I wasn't kidding about Dunn's free lunches either. The Mayor of Vancouver told me that the best way to get Dunn's attention on anything was to offer to feed him...

mrgrn

[pdxlady]

Here's another article on the subject with some different insights on the other races as well.

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/944/story/159283.html

[Waterbuffalo]

Isn't it sad I had to read that from a tri-cities newspaper about how much J.J. has in his account?

I feel honest in saying I think Jim should step aside for all the reasons that are said here at Clarkblog and from the times and things that I've witnesses.

I want some one who will represent the district, not be a seat warmer in Olympia wondering how he can bring money home for some secret Senior heat, oil and water/housing improvement bill that will generally fail because of any thing that is tied to him.

Really Jim, as a voter in *YOUR* 17th legislative district, you have had many years to prove your points and get legislation passed. I don't listen to what most of the "tabloid of SW Clark County says."

But I'm asking you as a voter of your district to please step aside and give James Joseph or or what ever his name is, a chance to run against a decent opponent. With you still in the race, your drawing away valuable attention, contributions, in-kind help and voters votes away from him.

Your starting to remind me of a Ralph nader spoiler run. Your only doing this to weaken your own candidacy but the candidacy of your republican rival and making yourself an easier target for the local media PLUS the democrat challenger. Don't you see what your doing?

[Waterbuffalo]

To Chief, with this new lousiana voting system that Washington state now has been endorsed by SCOTUS. Could it be that Jim could be knocked out of the race by a simple general election vote?

Or are we still in the primary/general election system? Where two members of a party run to the primary and then who ever wins that faces the winner of another political party in the general election for the ultimate win of the seat.

[Chief]

We are in Primary mode first. Any time there are more than 1 candidates for a given seat, from the same Party, there has to be a Primary contest first. Once the actual nominees are determined, then the race for the General Election begins.

For example: Joseph James will face Jim Dunn for the nomination as the Republican nominee for District 17 Seat 1.

Which ever one wins that contest will face Tim Probst in November for the Election to District 17 Seat 1.

Good old shameless Dunn is going to force James to spend money on the Primary, instead of allowing him to run against the Democrat, Probst. We'll see how much money Dunn can raise, given his extremely high negative profile over the past year.

[Waterbuffalo]

Whom ever gets the money, affirmation and attention will be the one facing the democrat machine down here in November. Good luck I guess to either one.

Would be surprised if Jim wins another term in his seat.

[Chief]

I think you might be amazed at how many Republicans there still are here in Clark County.

Let's keep in mind that Tim Probst hasn't had to do a lot of campaigning yet, because James is in a Primary fight with Dunn. We'll see how hard Dunn wants to actually run on this, because Joseph James is hungry and wants the job pretty bad.

In any case, I'm not conceding the Primary. Dunn has had a lot of bad press that he needs to try and overcome somehow, and I don't think the columbian is any mood to give him a pass either.

[Waterbuffalo]

So when is this Republican Caucus again? Wonder how fufilled it will be on the night in question?

Suspect your going to have your preliminary list of 1000 questions ready for rapid and vapid fire power for the candidates?

[Chief]

Saturday between 9 AM and 4 PM. I'll boot the thread up...

[Waterbuffalo]

Its Saturday 9am, hope you and the fellows have fun. Have to stay home and watch television because of medical reasons. Hope you have fun!