Shall we call the November Senate election now and save the time, money, and tedium? No other Washington state congressional incumbent has more official challengers than Sen. Patty Murray, but no one has more money, exposure, or ability to dole out federal funds, either.
The three-term Democrat is so far officially opposed by 11 Republicans and one Independent, who together have raised roughly $155,000—compared to Murray’s nearly $9 million, of which she’s already spent about $4 million. Opponents might be lucky to raise in total what Murray took in during one day last month—$500,000, at a Seattle fundraiser featuring Vice President Joe Biden.
At the moment, the incumbent is running against little-knowns, such as state Sen. Don Benton from Vancouver, and unknowns, including author Chris Widener of Preston, Mountlake Terrace chiropractor Sean Salazar, Lynnwood physician Arthur Coday, Vancouver energy trader Craig Williams, and Marysville businessman Rod Rieger.
There’s also former NFL player and Super Bowler Clint Didier, who just picked up the endorsement of Bellevue developer and GOP leader Kemper Freeman, who has also become Didier’s state financial chairman. He could fill the coffers of the farm kid who went on to play for the Washington Redskins, something he’s making the most of in an attempted return to D.C.
“Where else,” he says, “can the son of a potato farmer from a small town in eastern Washington rise to play in the stardom of a Super Bowl?” His campaign emphasizes his football career as a tight end for the Redskins, even pointing out that he threw the block that cleared the way for John Riggins’ winning touchdown in Super Bowl XVII.
And he’s still got the competitive spirit. According to a story on his Web site, Didier told a Tea Party last month in the Tri-Cities: “I can honestly say I do not trust my government.”
As Didier describes it: “Following my NFL career, I came home to work the farm, coach other young men, and now to repay a debt to my country for what it’s given me.”
All we can say is: Didier, stay on the potato farm and we will happily forgive the debt.
