State Sen. Craig Pridemore sent out a news release to Olympia media on Friday announcing his candidacy for the 49th Legislative District seat.
The Vancouver senator said he was seeking the appointment to replace Rep. Jim Jacks, who abruptly resigned two weeks ago, The Columbian’s All Politics is Local blog reported on Monday.
In the release, Pridemore said he intends to continue serving as state senator in addition to serving in the State House of Representatives.
“The truth is, it’s been difficult for me to make ends meet on just one legislative salary,” Pridemore said in the news release. “With two of them, I think I can live well and both the Senate and House will benefit from having somebody around who can truly understand both institutions.”
“The offices aren’t that far apart, and God knows I can use the exercise running back and forth between chambers,” he continued.
Pridemore also insisted he could fix the “glitch” in state law prohibiting him from serving in both positions before the 2012 election.
Not everyone realized what day it was when Pridemore announced his candidacy: April 1. April Fools’ Day.
In an email to Columbian Editor Lou Brancaccio, Pridemore said Democratic National Committee member Ed Cote “called officials around the state trying to rally them to stop me. Took him ten calls before someone finally suggested he look at the date.”
Here’s Pridemore’s complete press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 1, 2011
Veteran state senator to seek House appointment
OLYMPIA — State Sen. Craig Pridemore, D-Vancouver, announced this morning that he will be a candidate for the appointment to replace outgoing 49th District State Rep. Jim Jacks, who resigned last week.
“I believe I am the only candidate for the position who can truly hit the ground running on Day One,” Pridemore said.
Pridemore, 50, has served as senator for the 49th Legislative District for seven years. Prior to that, he served for six years as a Clark County commissioner representing the district that encompasses the 49th. He currently chairs the Senate Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections Committee and is a member of the budget-writing Senate Ways & Means Committee.
Pridemore said he intends to continue to serve as state senator for the district in addition to serving in the State House of Representatives.
“The truth is, it’s been difficult for me to make ends meet on just one legislative salary,” Pridemore said. “With two of them, I think I can live well and both the Senate and House will benefit from having somebody around who can truly understand both institutions. The offices aren’t that far apart, and God knows I can use the exercise running back and forth between chambers.”
State law prohibits persons from appearing twice on the same ballot, but there is no prohibition against serving in multiple elective offices. Pridemore could serve in both capacities until after the general election of 2012.
“I chair the committee that oversees elections,” Pridemore said. “I’m sure we can fix this inadvertent glitch in state law well before the 2012 elections.”
Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart, who replaced Pridemore as county commissioner in 2004 and who will be one of three commissioners to select Jacks’ successor, acknowledged that Pridemore would have to be considered a strong contender for the appointment.
“I’m not saying I like it or that I’ll necessarily support it,” Stuart said, “but let’s face it, it’s pretty hard to say he doesn’t have a strong resume for the job. Considering the date, I’m not at all surprised to hear he’s considering going for it.”
Well played, Senator. Well played.
