LD17

Jim Ogsbury doesn't know whether he'll be the Republican nominee for the 5th Congressional District seat, but at least Tuesday night won't be a complete loss for the former congressional aide, lawyer and lobbyist.

According to an announcement by his campaign, he has been elected a precinct committeeman for Legislative District 17.

From the release:

"Republican Congressional candidate Jim Ogsbury declared victory in his race to become a precinct committeeman for Arizona’s Legislative District 17, Paiute Precinct.  He credited his win to a complete lack of opposition and having secured the requisite number of petition signatures. “'I look forward to working with Arizona Republicans to realize conservative change for a brighter tomorrow,'” Ogsbury declared."

DENVER -Taking a moment to switch gears from the hoopla of the national convention to the nuts and bolts of state politics, Rep. Brian Baird (D-Vancouver) predicted that Southwest Washington would pick up a few seats for Democrats in the state House and Senate this November.

"I think we have a real shot at picking up a seat in the 17th," Baird said. "I think Tim Probst is going to win that seat. I think we have a great shot in the 18th. I like our candidate there VaNessa Duplessie, running against [Rep. Jaime] Herrera who has never been elected herself, really has hardly been in the district the last ten years. Vanessa is hard working, sharp, articulate, a real go getter."

Baird was also pleasantly surprised to see David Carrier running relatively close to Sen. Don Benton in the 17th District, and Jon Haugen within ten points of Sen. Joe Zarelli in LD 18.

DENVER - The Democratic Speaker of the state House of Representatives, Seattle's Frank Chopp, is well known in political circles for his planning and dedication to building a long-term Democratic majority in Olympia. Just like with the Republicans, every other year provides a chance to gradually build up or chip away at the current lead, depending on what side you are on.

But despite all the projections and planning, did last week's "top two" primary results change the leadership's picture of which races to focus on going into November? Chopp says no.

Republican Precinct Committee Officers in Vancouver's 17th Legislative District met over the weekend to endorse a candidate in the race against Democrat Tim Probst. In doing so, as The Columbian reports, the 17th District Republicans set a precedent by endorsing a challenger over an incumbent for the first time in their history when they backed Joe James over Rep. Jim Dunn.

"It’s clear that the district is ready for new leadership and I’m pleased to be their choice to work to earn their trust," James said. 

Last night's CD5 Republican candidate forum offered a different take on the contenders from last month's event in Scottsdale. While the candidates fielded questions on earmark spending, border security and cuts in government programs, what emerged spoke less to individual policies as the sense that whoever emerges as the nominee will shoulder a heavy burden for the Party.

The field acknowledged a profound dissatisfaction with the Republican Party among voters and a need to reconnect with conservative principles in action, not just as a campaign ploy. They also pledged not to let the primary get so heated as to destroy the victor's chances of beating Rep. Harry Mitchell, and that, once the ticket was set, the others would unite behind the effort of unseating Mitchell in the general.

At the Arizona Democratic Party Convention two weekends ago, Gov. Janet Napolitano declared that the Democrats had their sights set on capturing the Arizona House this fall. Today, State House Minority Leader Phil Lopes (D-Tucson) told PolitickerAZ that the focus is as much on protecting seats as picking them up, but that the outlook is good for the Democrats to have a fighting chance at reaching their goal.

That may be bolstered by news that, in LD9, a "high quality candidate" may be preparing to jump into the fray, further shifting an already uncertain electoral landscape.