Dino Rossi meets supporters in Othello
Chrystal Doucette/Columbia Basin HeraldRepublican candidate for Washington state governor Dino Rossi meets supporters Saturday in Othello.
OTHELLO - Washington state Republican governor candidate Dino Rossi met with supporters in Othello Saturday.
Visitors traveled from Grant and Adams counties to meet Rossi, who shook hands with visitors and gave a speech.
Those who came to see Rossi included Othello Mayor Shannon McKay, Adams County Commissioner candidate John Marshall, Port District Manager Mike Beardsley and Sheriff Doug Barger.
Moses Lake resident Carl Weber traveled to Othello to see if he could offer support in the area. Weber, a resident of Moses Lake since September, said he supported Rossi when he lived in Grays Harbor.
He noted they attended the same high school in Edmonds.
Marshall said it was his first time hearing Rossi speak. He said Rossi's speech was inspirational and he was glad to attend.
"My vote was wasted last time on Dino (in 2004), and I want to see it work this time," Marshall said.
Adams County Committee member Betty Hanes said the campaign called Tuesday asking if Rossi could stop in Othello.
"I think Eastern Washington really wants change and Dino did so well in the last election, that our hope is he can do even better, that if he does even better, he'll make it," Hanes said.
Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-9th District, made an introductory speech for Rossi.
"It's a beautiful day to be here, to celebrate change in our government this November," Schoesler said.
Rossi thanked everyone for attending the event on short notice.
"I may not be much in Seattle, but I'm big in Othello," he joked.
Rossi said he is receiving support from across the state, and not just from Republicans.
"It's Rpublicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Independents," he said.
During the last election season, Rossi raised $6.2 million during the entire campaign, he announced. Campaign organizers surpassed that amount this week, he said. Of the contributors, 66 percent were new to the campaign, he said.
Rossi said he wants to see members of the public treated as customers and compared what he would like to do with what he feels current leadership has done.
He said Gov. Chris Gregoire let 3,100 violent felons out of prison early. He noted the state missed out on a $13 million grant for improving math and science because "the adults" worried more successful teachers would receive more money.
Rossi said he has a comprehensive statewide transportation plan.
"We're not going to raise your taxes to do it," he said. "We're not going to raise your gas taxes to do it."
Rossi's plan is to take 2 percent of the state's general fund for transportation improvements. Washington would be the 32nd state to do so, he said.
Rossi's speech transitioned into a talk about fiscal responsibility.
The spending growth rate in the state is 2.5 more than the revenue growth rate, Rossi said. He said Gregoire is "blowing through the biggest surplus the state has ever known."
The projected deficit next year is $2.7 billion, Rossi said.
He said when he was on the Senate, he proved government could be fiscally and socially responsible at the same time.
"I believe you can be fiscally responsible and have a social conscience," he said.
The Evergreen Freedom Foundation awarded him the first annual Defender of Liberty Award, Rossi said. In addition, he received six awards from the developmentally disabled community.
Rossi spoke of making Washington a friendlier place to do business. Washington has one of the largest small-business failure rates, he said.
He said in Olympia, the belief is that if Microsoft and Boeing are doing well, then the business community is doing well.
"There's more to the business climate than just Boeing and Microsoft," Rossi said.
Rossi said the election is not about Gregoire or himself, or the 2004 election. He said it is about changing the culture and director of the state government for a generation.
Olympia is in need of a fresh set of eyes on the problem, he said.
Rossi assured voters the election system is different this year, with changes including the creation of a statewide database, leading to the elimination of more than 400,000 names of people who cannot legally vote.
Several people were indicted and imprisoned for election fraud, he added.
He said he would not have decided to run again if the system was the same as in 2004.
"With your help, we're going to win again," he said.
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