Collins enters race in LD2

The TNT's Political Buzz is reporting that Yelm businessman Chuck Collins will run for State Representative as a Democrat this year in rural Pierce County's 2nd District, position 1 against incumbent Rep. Jim McCune (R-Graham).

In a press release Collins, a former U.S. Forest Service firefighter, ranger and Department of Energy Program Manager says he'll focus on "the three E's - education, the economy, and the environment" if elected to the Legislature.

Collins joins two Democrats who have already announced their candidacy. Jean Marie Christensen (D-Rainier), ran in 2006 and earned 43% of the vote, and Raymond Harper, the former Eatonville Councilman and Mayor, entered the race earlier this spring.

TNT's Joe Turner, who said Collins was recruited by House leadership, has this further analysis:

Maybe the House Democrats were afraid Christenson's being a "Ram-ster" would be a liability in a campaign. She is a student of the Ramtha School of Enlightment, which follows the teachings of a 35,000-year-old warrior, channeled by J.Z. Knight.