Race to Watch: Rick Larsen vs. John Koster Re-match
Politics by Evan on May 11th, 2010 with 2 Comments so far.In a release sent out to reporters and posted on their website, the Koster for Congress campaign is finding good news in the latest bit of polling: Koster has closed on Larsen by 17 points since a December poll.
In another show of strength, Koster has already made it “On the Radar” with the National Republican Campaign Committee’s Young Guns program, an important first step to getting recognized as a top contender.
Aside from running before and coming close, Koster also has experience as a state legislator — and like Larsen — service as a Snohomish County Councilman under his belt.
Koster’s challenge will be to expand from his conservative base in north Snohomish and Skagit counties, into the more densely populated urban (read: more liberal) poles of Bellingham and Everett.
However, if Larsen runs this campaign cycle like he did in 2004, 2006, and 2008, that is as mere pro forma efforts, he could be in real trouble.
When matched against top GOP recruits in 2001 (Koster) and 2002 (Norma Smith), Larsen barely squeaked by with 50% of the vote. With incumbents dropping both left and right (pun alert!), a nationwide riptide could very well sweep Larsen out to sea.
Larsen Sidesteps Questions on Health Care, For Now
Politics by Evan on August 4th, 2009 with 2 Comments so far.As we reported late last month, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen is catching flack from all sides of the health care debate. Some in his district are patently outraged by his lack of support for proposals made by Democratic colleagues.
One letter writer to the Bellingham Herald today accused Larsen of being beholden to lobbyists.
Back in the district, Larsen again faced questions about his stance on health care reform. This time, speaking to veterans, the 2nd District Congressman refused to answer questions altogether:
“You’re at the wrong meeting if you’re here to talk about health care.”
Larsen has reason to be on guard: other Democratic colleagues in the NW who support the public plan have increasingly faced criticism from hostile audiences.
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