State GOP chairman predicts wins in 2012

MOSES LAKE - Washington State Republican Party Chairman Kirby Wilbur predicts Republicans win the governor, attorney general and House and Senate races in 2012.

Wilbur spoke before about 20 members of the Grant County Republican Party during their picnic at Montlake Park Saturday.

The state of the economy and the 20 percent difference on three big anti-tax initiatives approved last year are some reasons, he explained.

"There is a 20 percent spread between voters who voted conservatively on taxes and voters who voted Republican," he said. "I think this is messaging."

It's because the state isn't as Democratic as some thought, he commented.

Wilbur reiterated some points made by the state party, which presented before the Republican National Committee three weeks ago, Wilbur said.

The Republicans' path to victory is tied to the governor's race, a position Republican candidate and current Attorney General Rob McKenna is running for.

Another key race is Republican Reagan Dunn's bid for attorney general.

The Republican Governor's Association and Attorney General's Association thinks McKenna's and Dunn's races are top nationwide, Wilbur said.

"We're going to go out and sweep this state," Wilbur said.

He thinks Republicans can win the governor's, attorney general's and House and Senate races, but isn't sure about the presidential race.

He told Grant County Republicans they are needed on this side of the state to maximize voter turnout.

He encouraged the group to increase efforts to achieve a needed 80 to 90 percent voter turnout.

"We need to cancel out the Seattle vote," he said. "Please work harder than you ever have."

He expects the economy to worsen.

It is the most important election of all time, he said.

The American dream is disappearing, as 40 percent of Americans believe the country is in a permanent economic decline, Wilbur said.

"That's unacceptable," he said.

There are enough Republicans in Grant County to offset Democratic voters in King and Snohomish counties.

The counties of Snohomish, Clark and Lewis are turning Republican, he said.

If Republicans can gain 30 percent of King County votes and maximize the others, they can win the 2012 election.

Wilbur also discussed the redistricting, which leaves two open seats for the first district and tenth district.

As a result, it provides the possibility of at least one Congressional seat.

For the state Legislature, redistricting favors Republicans, as areas where Democrats live are shrinking because people are moving away and not having children.

Wilbur was in Moses Lake over the weekend for the state GOP's committee meeting at the Best Western Lake Front Hotel.

Dani Bolyard, chairperson of the Grant County Republican Party, said about 30 people attended the state meeting.

"The fun part is that this is the first time the state party has ever been in Grant County. It was a great honor to have them select us," Bolyard said.

Participants liked the calm, quiet atmosphere and being able to see Moses Lake, Bolyard said.

Many people commented that retail items are much cheaper here and commented the meetings should be held in Moses Lake, she said.

Several people from the Grant Country Republican Party showed up at the wine and cheese reception Friday and met state leaders.

Kristine Lowder, chairperson of the Grays Harbor County Republican Party, said there was a lot of energy and enthusiasm shown during the state meeting.

Lowder, of Hoquiam, Wash., was glad she attended the event because she made some good connections.

"People were really friendly," she said.