politics

John Edwards admission that he lied and dismissed reports of an affair with Rielle Hunter, a filmmaker hired to cover his presidential campaign, may have ended his public life, but did it also signify an end to the era in which the mainstream media controlled the agenda for national political journalism?

Attorneys for the state Republican and Democratic Parties are expectedly unhappy with the Secretary of State's guidelines for this summer's "Top Two" primary ballots. The Everett Herald's Jerry Cornfield has obtained letters from party lawyers to the Secretary of State spelling out some of their gripes. They both say the rules are hasty and as such carry with them a risk of election problems.

The Bellingham Herald is reporting that the race for retiring Sen. Harriet Spanel's seat in the 40th LD has grown by two already this week.

The coordinator of Whatcom for Obama, Stephanie Kountouros (D-Bellingham), and a 22-year veteran of the Washington State Patrol, Paul Gonzales (D-Mount Vernon) are the latest entrants into a contest that now has six candidates.

Paul Gonzales' press release announcing his candidacy can be seen here.

The Sierra Club, having effectively killed what was a broad compromise to build roads and transit last year, have now decided that they shall deliver the son of Proposition 1.  read more »

Former Spokane Valley City Council candidate Jennie Willardson (D-Spokane Valley) announced her intention to run for Congress in the 5th District, according to Jim Camden. Willardson joins Democrat Mark Mays in challenging the incumbent, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

Willardson says on her website, "It is going to take a woman to win agains a woman and I am that Democratic woman.an to win agains a woman and I am that Democratic woman."