Kathie Durbin writes in The Columbian:
John McKibbin, former president of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and a former three-term Clark County commissioner, is considering running for Congress as an independent candidate.
McKibbin said in a statement that he is among many Southwest Washington residents who are frustrated with both political parties over their failure to deal with the size of the federal deficit and “unbridled spending by Congress.”
“Our Congress is nearly out of control, and our elected officials are showing little or no regard for the growing deficit and its far-reaching consequences,” McKibbin said.
U.S. Rep. Brian Baird’s announcement this month that he would not seek a seventh term serving the 3rd Congressional District has drawn candidates and potential candidates from across the political spectrum. McKibbin would be the first to seek the post as an independent.
“I fully recognize the historical difficulties and concerns of running as an independent in any election, but these are extraordinary times that require challenging conventional thinking,” McKibbin said.
He said he would speak with people throughout the district before making a decision.
12 responses so far ↓
1 Morgan Brykein // Dec 21, 2009 at 2:13 pm
I’d like to move there one day. I wish McKibbin good luck.
2 Hyrum // Dec 21, 2009 at 7:10 pm
This makes me very happy. I hope the Washingtonians who live in that district are willing to vote for an independent.
3 Richard Winger // Dec 21, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Assuming he runs, he’ll need a massive campaign chest to place first or second. If he can’t place first or second in the August “top-two” primary, he can’t be on the November ballot.
4 Morgan Brykein // Dec 21, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Washington uses that atrocious system?
5 Michael H. Wilson // Dec 22, 2009 at 12:19 am
Look like there are four Republicans and five Democrats in the race as of now with more to announce. Turn out will be about 40% or less for the primary.
With the news media in this area pretty much dedicated to the establishment if you are not part of that game then it’ll be tough to get your message out.
Us Libs, Greens and whatever else will get lost in the shuffle.
6 Michael H. Wilson // Dec 22, 2009 at 1:21 am
I did not intend to sound negative in the post above. I am working on a media list so that we can send out news releases to the local media and let them know that those of us outside of the mainstream have some other ideas that need consideration. It’ll take time but we have to start some where.
7 paulie // Dec 22, 2009 at 1:22 am
Michael, media list done:
httP://newslink.org
8 paulie // Dec 22, 2009 at 1:23 am
Oops that’s
http://newslink.org
9 Michael H. Wilson // Dec 22, 2009 at 1:35 am
Thanks paulie. I’m working on editors names and political reporters to add to the mix. Adding to that we have a number of small town papers that are weeklies or even less frequently that I hope have on our list. Every outlet counts.
10 paulie // Dec 22, 2009 at 1:48 am
Newslink has a lot of those also…
11 Chuck Glisson // Feb 8, 2010 at 4:23 am
In the categories in the above left hand side of the web page you have a category for;
“Socialist/Left parties”.
If you are going to pin stiff labels on the left, then wouldn’t in also be fair to have a corresponding label of;
“Fascist/Right parties”.
Come on guys, a little thin don’t you think?
12 paulie // Feb 8, 2010 at 8:23 am
The parties under the socialist/left category generally describe themselves as socialist. The parties under the “right wing minor parties” category generally do not decsribe themselves as fascist.
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