Field narrows for Sen. Cantwell's challenger

The Wenatchee World reports that one possible candidate for the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell has declared she is not pursuing the idea. State Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, a Wenatchee Republican who represents the state's 12th legislative district, had been mentioned some months ago as a possible Republican candidate. She is in the state senate leadership and is an experienced pharmacist and orchardist.

This announcement came on the heels of a Friday announcement by Diane Tebelius, a former federal prosecutor and unsuccessful Congressional candidate, that she would also not pursue the GOP nomination. This clears the way for the coronation of Mike McGavick, recently the CEO of Safeco Insurance, to grab the nomination, though at least one other candidate could enter the race: former newscaster Susan Hutchinson.

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Evans Parlette says she's not running for U.S. Senate

By Rob Ollikainen World staff writer

WENATCHEE -- Citing important work she is doing in the 12th Legislative District -- and no desire for D.C. politics -- state Sen. Linda Evans Parlette says she is not pursuing the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Maria Cantwell.

"I am not actively pursuing a bid for the United States Senate at this time," the Wenatchee Republican said Friday. She stopped short of making an official announcement, but left no indication that she will run in 2006.

"You have to have the fire in the belly to go to Washington, D.C.," Parlette said. "My heart is not into going to Washington D.C. at this time."

Parlette, a pharmacist and orchardist, said people in her district encouraged her not to run because of the work she is doing in North Central Washington.

Her district encompasses Chelan and Douglas counties and parts of Grant and Okanogan counties.

The leading challenger for Cantwell's U.S. Senate seat is Republican Mike McGavick. McGavick, the chairman and CEO of Seattle-based insurance provider Safeco, has reportedly raised $710,000 for his campaign.

On Friday, Diane Tebelius, a former federal prosecutor and congressional candidate, bowed out of Washington's U.S. Senate race. Tebelius endorsed McGavick.

Tebelius, 56, who lives in Bellevue and practices law in Seattle, said she will turn her attention to her career and to working for GOP candidates, including David Irons for King County executive and McGavick for Senate.

Former television anchor Susan Hutchison hasn't ruled out the race.

The race has been identified as one of the top Senate races in the nation next year, and the Republicans want this seat -- bad. They remember in 2000 when Cantwell barely knocked off incumbent Republican Slade Gorton, a victory for the Democrats that ultimately led to control of the Senate (after a few other maneuvers courtesy of Vermont's James Jeffords). The GOP is also still ticked off about losing the gubernatorial race in Washington last year. In short, the Republicans don't like recounts and they want to take it out on a capable and smart Senator.

My money is on Maria.

-- Wenatchee, Wash.