Didier Hopes to Become State’s Next U.S. Senator

United States Senator Patty Murray has been serving in elected office since 1989. She has won three consecutive terms to the U.S. Senate and, according to campaign finance reports, has more than $3 million cash on hand (as of April) – enough cash to unnerve many potential challengers. However, Clint Didier, a resident of Connell, Washington and a first-time candidate for elected office, has formed an exploratory committee to consider a run against Murray and is convinced his conservative principles and hard work can help him challenge Washington’s longest-serving U.S. Senator.

“One of the greatest elected leaders in the history of the United States of America is Ronald Reagan. He led the country and provided a great example of the proper role of government in the United States,” explained Didier while talking about his intention to run for office and his feelings about how he plans to legislate.

Didier may be a newcomer to the game of Washington, D.C. politics, but he is not a newcomer to Washington, D.C. From 1982 to 1987, Didier played tight end for the National Football League’s Washington Redskins, helping the Redskins to wins in Super Bowl XVII and XXII, catching a touchdown pass in the latter. After winning in Super Bowl XVII, Didier got the opportunity to shake hands with President Reagan. “I was just a kid (in 1983), I didn’t understand the gravity of the situation. He was a great man.”

Didier announced his plans to challenge Murray at a Tea Party rally in the Tri-Cities in September. At the rally, Didier stated, “I, Clint Didier, want to answer the call to service. I want to work toward a return to the Constitution and its precepts.” It is no coincidence that Didier announced his plans at the rally. The Tea Party movement was born, as its members contend, because of out-of-control government spending and regulation. The movement is a cultural and political phenomenon in some places, gaining untold followers for its attention to fiscal responsibility, limited government and free market values.

As a farmer in Connell and the Co-Head football coach at Connell High School, Didier has noticed government intrusion and unnecessary bureaucracy creeping into his professional and personal life. For instance, he believes government rules and regulation concerning environmental protection – particularly, the Cap and Trade legislation passed in the House of Representatives earlier this year – puts an onerous burden on regular Americans and business owners.

“No one in this country is a better steward of our environment than farmers and regular Americans – hikers, fishers, hunters,” said Didier, “Washington, D.C. has no business telling me what I should do with my land.” Didier went on to explain that, “a farmer knows there are three important ingredients to growing food on our own soil: rich land, water and carbon. At some point, Washington, D.C. must leave these issues in the hands of ‘We The People.’”

“We must have trust in our elected leaders. Right now, for many people, the trust is gone.”

When asked about the health care legislation making its way through the halls of Congress right now, Didier again sounded decidedly conservative.

“We need Tort reform. Our providers should not be performing five, six or sevens procedures just to cover themselves because of the threat of a lawsuit. Also, Americans should be able to buy medical insurance across state lines (portability). Those two things would go a long way to making medical insurance more affordable.”

Didier explained his legislative platform would focus on what he calls R.A.N.S – Responsibility, Accountability and National Security. In regards to the first two items, Didier explained his belief that elected representatives no longer focus on serving their country, but rather, see elected office as a great way to make money and build one’s resume.

“From the beginning, our elected leaders didn’t run to enrich themselves. They ran to serve the country, to serve the people of the country. The mindset of many current elected leaders is not the mindset of the leaders of our past.”

Didier’s ideas and conservative values may sound refreshing to many Washington voters, but he has a steep hill to climb. Senator Murray is a prolific fundraiser and has the campaign war chest and donor list to prove it. As Didier’s exploratory committee considers his potential run for Murray’s seat in the Senate, their eyes will stay fixed on Didier’s own campaign bank account.

For his part, Didier has had numerous conversations with elected leaders and political organizers throughout Washington to continue to build interest in his candidacy and sharpen his knowledge of the political landscape.

Only time will tell if Didier will have the resources to mount a serious run at Washington’s longest-serving U.S. Senator. For now though, Didier is buoyed by the reaction he is getting at his stops around Washington.

“People are ready for a strong leader in Washington, D.C. A leader who will legislate conservatively and allow America’s ingenuity to flourish. I’m enjoying the enthusiasm.”

Tags: Clint Didier, Connell, featured, Ronald Reagan, Senator Patty Murray, The Tea Party Movement, Washington, Washington Redskins

Anton

Anton Northwood is a Seattle resident who spends much of his time working on the Eastside.

Tweet This Post to Facebook Digg This Bookmark at Delicious
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.