Thibaudeau ends re-election campaign

Friday, May 12, 2006

By CHRIS McGANN
P-I CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT

OLYMPIA -- State Sen. Pat Thibaudeau, D-Seattle, abandoned her re-election campaign Thursday, essentially handing her Senate seat to her challenger, fellow Democrat Ed Murray.

Thibaudeau, who is vice chairwoman of the Senate Health and Long-term Care Committee, was recently tapped to be the co-chairwoman of Gov. Christine Gregoire's new state Health Care Commission. Thibaudeau, 73, said she is leaving the Senate so she can concentrate her efforts on the time-consuming health care post.

The commission will draft a five-year plan for improving access to and the quality of health care while reducing costs.

"My choice was not easy -- but given the challenge the governor has given me, I had to come to a decision of one or the other," Thibaudeau said.

"The governor's job needs undivided attention between now and November, and a campaign, especially a competitive one, cannot wait until I finish this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Thibaudeau was elected to the House in 1992. Three years later she was appointed to the seat left vacant after Cal Anderson died.

Anderson, Washington's first openly gay state legislator, died of AIDS-related cancer after seven years in the House and a year in the Senate. Murray, a close friend and fellow resident of Capitol Hill, had been his campaign manager.

Murray continued Anderson's crusade for gay rights after being appointed to Thibaudeau's House seat. He prevailed this year with the passage of a gay rights bill.

Thibaudeau helped pass one of the most comprehensive health care plans in state history, but it was repealed when the House Democrats lost their majority status in 1995.

Her departure from the Legislature could benefit Democrats running in swing districts.

Sen. Karen Keiser, chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee, said that although the Seattle seat is assumed to be safely in the party's control, a free ride for Murray will free up money.

Murray has a reputation as a fund-raising titan.

"Now that there won't be a contest, he will be able to win the seat without having to spend all the money he raises," Keiser said. "It's quite hopeful to see some of his efforts help the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee."

Murray tried to soothe the hard feelings he may have caused by challenging an incumbent member of his own party.

"As I said when entering the race, this was not about Pat -- it was about issues I felt strongly about," Murray said. "I congratulate her as she begins a new chapter in her career of public service."

P-I reporter Chris McGann can be reached at 360-943-3990 or chrismcgann@seattlepi.com.

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