What Will Susan Hutchison Run for Next?
Susan Hutchison's "thank you" letter to supporters this morning is anything but defeatist. She acknowledges that this one didn't work out (Dow Constantine is up 58 percent to 42 percent of the votes counted so far). But she's not going anywhere thanks to a big "chin up" from astronaut John Glenn.
Wikipedia John Glenn sez: Susan Hutchison's got the right stuff.
In 1962, Glenn, as older readers and nerds may remember, was famously the first American astronaut to circle the globe from space. Then he testified before Congress that women couldn't be astronauts. (Note: Glenn's a Democrat. See, they can be haters too.) In 1970 he ran for the U.S. Senate and lost. But four years later he made it to the hallowed halls of Washington.
According to Hutchison, Glenn "called me today to say he lost his first election--even with superior name recognition!--but decided to stay the path and eventually served 24 years in the Senate. He said we must have good people run for office in this country, and of course, we all agree."
Of course we do! Hutchison didn't return a call this morning asking if she plans to run next year, so we took the liberty of figuring out her best options next year:
1. U.S. Senate: 2010 is all about the legislatures, both state and federal. Patty Murray, the Senator-in-tennis-shoes is up. There are occasional rumors of imminent retirement for Murray, who would be seeking her fourth term. If Murray goes, the field is wide open. If she decides to stay it's trickier. Hutchison will have to try and undermine her without coming off as a bitch, no easy task given that Murray's influential position in D.C. is bolstered by serious aw-schucks likability. Still, it's got to be tempting. Senator Hutchison sounds rather regal dontcha think? (So regal, Goldy at horsesass.org predicted a Hutchison run a couple weeks ago.)
2. U.S. House of Representatives: It's perfect for Hutchison. The House is so huge that the key to getting anything done isn't knowing specifics, it's bringing people together to solve problems! Only hitch, she'll have to move.
Stay in Seattle and you run against Rep. Jim McDermott, who is so entrenched his version of campaigning for reelection is remembering to send in the candidate registration form. Better to move north and take on Rick Larsen in Snohomish and Skagit counties or east and unseat Dave Reichert in the primary. The Democrats have shown they are incapable of winning that seat so it's smooth sailing after that.
3. Anything in the 46th Legislative District: Laurelhurst, Hutchison's hood, is currently represented by Sen. Ken Jacobsen, Rep. Scott White and Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney. Three words: who? who? and who?
Nobody knows their state reps. For a woman whose biggest strength is name recognition, this is perfect. All three are Democrats and while Hutchison has a history of donating to Republicans, a quick party switch and any one of these seats is hers. Hell, she could probably stick with the GOP and still pull it off.
All to say you've got options, Suzy, and an astronaut at your back.
12 comment(s)
Krist Novoselic says:
#3 Makes the most sense - especially in 2012 when all the races for the legislature will be with new district boundaries. And that depends on how much they change in the area of the 46th LD.
I think Duff lives in the 46th - Let's get McKagan to run "Prefers Rock Party". I'm willing to serve as chair of such an organization and help with the ground operation.
Posted On: Friday, Nov. 6 2009 @ 3:52PM
Mr. Baker says:
Ok, I am in the 46th. It may be possible for Hutchison to unseat the first term White.
He beat Jerry Pollet (sp).
I would join the "Prefers Rock Party". I'm in.
Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney has better, maybe not more, name recognition than Hutchison.
There is no way she could get the state senate seat, once Ken Jacobsen introduced the bill that allows pets to be buried with their people he became Senator for life.
Posted On: Friday, Nov. 6 2009 @ 6:18PM
Chris Briggs says:
US senate!!!
Posted On: Friday, Nov. 6 2009 @ 6:38PM
Krist Novoselic says:
Mr. Baker - Yes Jacobsen is solid - dogs in restaurants bill is a winner!!
Legislature is a tough job. It pays lousy for all the work that's thankless. How about another meeting of a local sewer district board, local civic group luncheon and bitching from crank constituents?
County Executive and US Senator have the Glamour but legislature is for the dogs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted On: Friday, Nov. 6 2009 @ 7:06PM
Amy says:
Voters are tired of Patty Murray.
Posted On: Friday, Nov. 6 2009 @ 7:13PM
Mr.Baker says:
Yes, a state leg job is too much work and not enough glamour.
I just do not see her winning higher office.
She would lose 2 of the 3 possible state positions in the 46th.
I am convinced that Phyllis would kick her ass as badly as Dow is right now.
She does not have a meaningful shot at a lower level office.
She just got whipped by Dow
seen here:
http://tinyurl.com/yaw8o45
I guess losing U.S. Senatorial elections is as close as she can get to holding public office.
She can become the female Stan Lippmann.
Posted On: Friday, Nov. 6 2009 @ 8:07PM
fnu says:
Keep in mind that Hutchison could run as a Democrat. Unlikely, given her support of Repubs in the past, but not impossible. She did appear at a few Democratic parties and picnics during her Exec campaign.
Given that she rebuffed positions the Repubs took on two statewide initiatives (1033 and 71), she is NOT in league with the Tim Eyman or Ellen Craswell wings of the GOP Party.
Dow's lazy "she's PALIN!" trope could actually backfire on Patty if she tried to trot it out. It would give her instant cred with righty grassroots.
If Harry Reid is vulnerable, so is the rest of Senate leadership, including our very own mom in tennis shoes.
Posted On: Saturday, Nov. 7 2009 @ 2:29PM
Grace says:
It's goofy to assume Hutchison would lose a statewide race the way she lost in King County - it's King County! Any (perceived) Republican is going to have a hard time. Rob McKenna, with his 59 percent statewide, and 53 in King County, is an exception.
If Hutchison runs for US senate she will do great in Snohomish and Pierce counties - not to mention eastern Washington!!!
Rossi got 20-something percent of the vote in King County and 47 percent statewide last year (49 in 2004). Hutchison will earn at least 30 to 35 in King County - much better than Rossi.
Hutchison in 2010!
Posted On: Saturday, Nov. 7 2009 @ 3:28PM
Grace says:
Hutchison will lose with 39/40 for KC executive - if she runs for US senate as a Republican she'll get between 30 and 35 percent, slightly worse if she has an actual R next to her name on the ballot but coupled with the rest of the state she could win!!!
Posted On: Saturday, Nov. 7 2009 @ 3:45PM
Mr.Baker says:
You are using somebody (Rob McKenna) that held elected office prior to running for a statewide office that not quite on the level of Governor, or U.S.Senator, as an example of how a former tv news anchor would have a reasonable chance at statewide office.
I don't think she is not on the level of Rob McKenna.
Posted On: Sunday, Nov. 8 2009 @ 9:08AM
J.R. says:
Good point, Mr. Baker. Hutchison is no Rob McKenna. Of course, I don't think she could actually win a legislative seat in the 46th--the local Democrats would gleefully pour money into that race and finish off her fledgling political career. Right now, Patty Murray would likewise mop the floor with Hutchison. I think the best idea presented is a Hutchison move to Snohomish or Pierce County leading to a County Council or Congressional run.
Posted On: Sunday, Nov. 8 2009 @ 10:24AM
Anonymous says:
Murray already has 4, and possibly 6 challengers.
Dr. Sean Salazar (Chiropractor & military vet) sean4senate.com
Craig L. Williams (nuclear engineer and energy expert) votewilliams2010.com
Wayne Glover (truck driver) realchange2010.org
Rod Rieger (electrician) rodrieger.com
Exploratory Committee
Clint Didier (former NFL player, small business owner) clintdidier.org
Chris Widener (Professional speaker) chriswidener.org
All are fiscal conservatives. Each thinks Murray is partly at fault for out of control government spending. After all, Murray is called "the Queen of Pork", who even endorsed the "Bridge to Nowhere".
Posted On: Monday, Nov. 16 2009 @ 4:18PM