That Washington
Liias Formally Announces Exploratory Committee for 1st District Seat
As the Everett Herald reported on Friday, Rep. Marko Liias (D-21, Edmonds) was set to announce
a run for Rep. Jay Inslee's 1st district seat in 2012 (Inslee is widely expected to run for governor in 2012). Today, Liias formally announced he's forming an exploratory committee for the seat.
In a press release, Liias wrote to his supporters, "I want to let you know I am seriously considering this possibility." Liias said he would not formally announce his candidacy, however, until Inslee "announces his own plans."
Liias, 29, is the first candidate to announce an exploratory committee in the lean-blue swing district. (U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, who may be redistricted out of his seat in Ohio, has shown an interest in the seat—and as we first reported yesterday, called skeptical Washington State Democratic Party chair Dwight Pelz to "open lines of communication.")
Liias has been an active member of the state legislature here in Washington, and we've certainly given him plenty of coverage for his work on environmental and transit issues.
This year, he was the main sponsor of the Transalta bill to eliminate coal fired power generation in Washington by 2025 and sponsored the emergency transit funding bill for King County.
In a press release, Liias wrote to his supporters, "I want to let you know I am seriously considering this possibility." Liias said he would not formally announce his candidacy, however, until Inslee "announces his own plans."
Liias, 29, is the first candidate to announce an exploratory committee in the lean-blue swing district. (U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, who may be redistricted out of his seat in Ohio, has shown an interest in the seat—and as we first reported yesterday, called skeptical Washington State Democratic Party chair Dwight Pelz to "open lines of communication.")
Liias has been an active member of the state legislature here in Washington, and we've certainly given him plenty of coverage for his work on environmental and transit issues.
This year, he was the main sponsor of the Transalta bill to eliminate coal fired power generation in Washington by 2025 and sponsored the emergency transit funding bill for King County.
