Lori Sotelo

MINNEAPOLIS - Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Auburn) has consistently shown up on lists of vulnerable Republican House incumbents in 2008, just two years removed from a close race in 2006 in a district that voted for John Kerry. Among those is the Pindell Report, which showed Reichert's rematch with Democrat Darcy Burner as the country's most competitive.

Still, he won the primary on August 19 by four percent and it was just revealed that the National Republican Congressional Committee was dedicating a million dollars toward advertising on behalf of his campaign. Both are signs that his race will be close, but that Reichert may have a slight edge. King County Republican Party Chair Lori Sotelo agrees.

A fundraising lunch held yesterday by Michelle Obama on behalf of Governor Chris Gregoire (D-Olympia) raised at least $320,000 for the governor's campaign against Dino Rossi, the Seattle Post Intelligencer reported. Added to the figures from the Gregoire campaign's latest filings, the boost would bring the governor's current cash on hand to approximately $4.54 million.

Obama told the crowd of 1,600 that the tight race, a re-match of 2004's close election, was not necessary given Gregoire's record.

"What are you all thinking? This should be over." the P-I quoted Obama as saying. “Don't change a thing, it's not broken”

In her weekly address in the King County GOP newsletter, county Party Chair Lori Sotelo called on Rep. Geoff Simpson (D-Covington) to be stripped of his committee assignments within the Democratic Party.

Here is an excerpt from her statement:

Like many of you, I was saddened to hear of the arrest of State Representative Geoff Simpson for domestic violence on Sunday. In our state, deserved attention has been given to domestic violence laws, especially in protection of the most vulnerable in our communities. It is shocking for any elected lawmaker to be implicated in domestic assault. I am calling on the House Democratic Caucus to stand up for women and take precautionary action against Rep. Simpson until this matter is fully resolved.

Sotelo confirmed with PolitickerWA.com that the phrase "precautionary action" meant the loss of committee assignments, though it is a moot point now that the legislature is out of session.