In Issaquah and Tampa, local Republicans join party festivities
September 4, 2012
State Sen. Dino Rossi visits the floor at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. Contributed
Cyrus Krohn, a pioneer in efforts to increase the GOP’s online presence, sat out the 2012 Republican National Convention.
The downtown Issaquah resident did not attend the convention in Tampa, Fla. — not in person, at least.
Instead, Krohn, a former digital strategist for the Republican National Committee, participated in a Google+ Hangout — or group video chat — streamed at the convention.
“Technology is such now that I feel like I’m a virtual participant in that I can keep up with everything, I can watch Web videos, I can follow the tweets and the posts,” he said. “It’s almost as good as being there without having to wear a raincoat.”
Even downpours from then-Tropical Storm Isaac did not dampen the mood in Tampa as party faithful gathered to nominate former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for president.
Citizens’ Elections Oversight Committee seeks members
August 14, 2012
The group responsible for monitoring local elections needs Chinese-speaking and Vietnamese-speaking representatives.
King County leaders put out a call for the openings on the Citizens’ Elections Oversight Committee — the watchdog group created to ensure elections follow proper procedures.
Learn more about qualifications for the position and find the application at www.kingcounty.gov/council/issues/CEOC/application.
King County Council members created the Citizens’ Elections Oversight Committee in 2003 to oversee elections and improve performance and accountability at the then-King County Elections Division.
The council made the oversight group permanent in 2006, after the contentious 2004 contest for governor between Chris Gregoire and Dino Rossi. Overall, committee members have offered more than 180 recommendations to improve local elections.
Senate is familiar territory for Sammamish’s Dino Rossi
July 17, 2012
State Supreme Court Justice Jim Johnson (left) administers the oath of office to former and current state Sen. Dino Rossi, R-Sammamish. Washington Senate Republicans
The next senator for the 5th Legislative District also held the post before the most recent occupant.
Republican Dino Rossi, a Sammamish resident, represented Issaquah in Olympia from 1997 until December 2003. In January 2004, Republican Cheryl Pflug succeeded Rossi and, after Pflug resigned to accept a state board post, King County Council members returned Rossi to the state Senate.
Rossi is not expected to serve for long. The next senator — either Mark Mullet, a Democrat and Issaquah City Council member, or Republican Brad Toft, a Snoqualmie businessman — is due to assume office in late November, after King County Elections certifies the Nov. 6 election results.
Rossi is not a candidate for the seat and, besides, after the November election, the political boundaries for Rossi’s neighborhood shift into the 45th Legislative District due to redistricting.
Former Sen. Cheryl Pflug reacts to Dino Rossi appointment
July 17, 2012
Cheryl Pflug, former state senator for Issaquah and other Eastside communities, lambasted the appointment of Dino Rossi to fill the seat Pflug vacated late last month.
Cheryl Pflug
The sharp statement from Pflug, a Maple Valley Republican, came July 10, a day after the King County Council appointed Rossi to the seat as a caretaker until after the November election.
“I’m angry and appalled at the tactics of my former Senate Republican leadership, and I think they and Rossi shame themselves by trying to play godfather,” she said in the statement.
Pflug also endorsed Mark Mullet, a Democrat and Issaquah City Council member, in the race for the Senate race. Mullet is running against Brad Toft, a Snoqualmie businessman, for the post.
“This has been brewing for awhile, and I did tell Mark that he could put my name in the voters’ pamphlet,” she said in a later interview.
Press Editorial
July 17, 2012
Dino Rossi will serve district well
Issaquah will soon elect new leadership for the 5th Legislative District, but it’s good to know a qualified appointee will be there to represent voters until year’s end.
Sammamish resident Dino Rossi, a former state senator and gubernatorial candidate, will be the placeholder for the 5th District, following the resignation of Sen. Cheryl Pflug.
Rossi is a good choice. He follows one of the most important rules for caretakers — he won’t be running for the office himself — and couldn’t even if he wanted to since Sammamish will move into the 45th Legislative District next year.
Dino Rossi to represent Issaquah again in Olympia
July 10, 2012
Former state senator is appointed to Cheryl Pflug’s old seat
Dino Rossi
Dino Rossi is headed back to Olympia to represent Issaquah and other Eastside communities in the state Senate.
Rossi — a GOP candidate for governor in 2004 and 2008, and for U.S. Senate in 2010 — succeeds former state Sen. Cheryl Pflug. The businessman and Sammamish resident last represented the 5th Legislative District in the state Senate from 1996 until resigning in 2003 to run for governor.
King County Council members unanimously recommended Rossi for the caretaker position July 9, a little more than a week after Pflug, a Republican, resigned to serve on a state board.
“I do know the people of this district,” Rossi said in testimony to council members.
Former Sen. Cheryl Pflug criticizes appointment of Dino Rossi as successor, endorses Mark Mullet
July 10, 2012
UPDATED — 4:40 p.m. July 10, 2012
Cheryl Pflug, former state senator for Issaquah and other Eastside communities, lambasted the appointment of Dino Rossi to fill the seat Pflug vacated late last month.
Cheryl Pflug
The sharp statement from Pflug, a Maple Valley Republican, came a day after the King County Council appointed Rossi, a Sammamish Republican, to the seat as a caretaker until after the November election.
Pflug also endorsed Mark Mullet, a Democrat and Issaquah City Council member, in the race for the Senate race. Mullet is running against Brad Toft, a Snoqualmie businessman, for the post. (Rossi is not a candidate for the seat in the upcoming election.)
“I’m a Republican. I believe Rob McKenna will be a great governor because he’s honest, and he’s a brilliant unifier. That’s why I’m also endorsing Mark Mullet,” Pflug said in a statement issued just after 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. “His business background, financial expertise, and common sense make him the right person to represent all the residents of the 5th District, not just special interests and party bosses.”
Dino Rossi is poised to serve as 5th Legislative District senator — again
July 9, 2012
NEW — 10:05 a.m. July 9, 2012
Dino Rossi is all but certain to head back to Olympia to represent Issaquah and other Eastside communities in the state Senate.
Dino Rossi
Rossi — a GOP candidate for governor in 2004 and 2008, and for U.S. Senate in 2010 — succeeded former state Sen. Cheryl Pflug. The businessman and Sammamish resident last represented the 5th Legislative District in the state Senate from 1996 until resigning in 2003 to run for governor.
King County Council members recommended Rossi for the caretaker position Monday, a little more than a week after Pflug resigned to serve on a state board.
The council is expected to decide on the appointment Monday afternoon. The last action is a formality.
King County Council starts process to appoint state Sen. Cheryl Pflug’s successor
June 10, 2012
NEW — 10 a.m. June 10, 2012
King County Council members start the process Monday to appoint a successor to Republican state Sen. Cheryl Pflug.
Under state law, the council is responsible for appointing a successor to the Senate seat after Pflug resigns July 1 to accept a state board post. The law calls for GOP officials to submit three candidates to the council for the open seat. Then, the council must make a selection within 60 days of Pflug’s resignation.
The council is scheduled to act on a motion to start the appointment process.
In May, Gov. Chris Gregoire appointed Pflug to a six-year term on the Washington Growth Management Hearings Board, the panel responsible for mediating disputes about planning and development issues in municipalities throughout the state.
Members cannot serve simultaneously on the board and in the Legislature. Pflug intends to resign from the Senate on July 1, the same day the state board appointment starts.
State Sen. Cheryl Pflug departs suddenly to accept board post
May 29, 2012
Snoqualmie businessman Brad Toft, Councilman Mark Mullet seek seat
Cheryl Pflug
The last-minute withdrawal left Issaquah Councilman Mark Mullet, a Democrat, and Snoqualmie businessman Brad Toft, a Republican, in the running to represent Issaquah and the reshaped 5th Legislative District in Olympia.
Gregoire appointed Pflug to a six-year term on the Washington Growth Management Hearings Board, the panel responsible for mediating disputes about planning and development issues in municipalities throughout the state. Members earn $92,500 per year.
Members cannot serve simultaneously on the board and in the Legislature. Pflug intends to resign from the Senate on July 1, the same day the state board appointment starts and about six months before the Senate term expires.
Under state law, the King County Council is responsible for appointing a successor to the Senate seat after Pflug resigns. The law calls for GOP officials to submit three candidates to the council for the open seat. Then, the council must make a selection within 60 days of Pflug’s resignation.
