Political Buzz » Brad Owen

UPDATE – Maverick Democratic Sen. Tim Sheldon elected president pro tem of Senate

Brad Shannon — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:38:54 +0000

The Senate has sworn in maverick Democratic Sen. Tim Sheldon to serve as president pro tempore, presiding over the politically divided chamber when Lt. Gov. Brad Owen is away. No one else was nominated but the vote was 38 to 10 Monday – far from unanimous.

Among the dissenters was Democratic Sen. Karen Fraser of Thurston County.

“A big portion of my constituency is very unhappy with his shifting” allegiance to join the GOP caucus in a coalition, Fraser explained.

Among other lawmakers voting against Sheldon were Democratic Sens. Jeannie Darneille of Tacoma, Maralyn Chase of Shoreline, Adam Kline …

UPDATE 2 – No deal but Lt. Gov. Brad Owen reports ‘significant progress’ in Senate transition talks

Brad Shannon — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 21:34:18 +0000

Senate leaders trying to sort out a transition plan that shifts majority power from Democrats to Republicans led to “significant progress” this morning, according to Lt. Gov. Brad Owen. Owen, a Democrat who presides over the Senate, was called in by the divided Senate leadership to help sort it out.

We’re still waiting for details from the Senate Republican and Democratic caucuses. But Owen put out this limited statement that headway was being made:

“There was an incredible spirit of working together and working things out. Significant progress was made. I am pleased with the outcome.”

…

Lt. Gov. Brad Owen starting peace talks with state Senate leaders on Friday morning

Brad Shannon — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 23:02:58 +0000

The ongoing stalemate over who is in charge of the Washington state Senate may get sorted out on neutral ground Friday morning. Lt. Gov. Brad Owen says he is convening a three-hour session with leaders of both Democratic and Republican blocs that are vying for position in the divided chamber.

“It’s not my job to dictate or tell them what to do but I have some history and I have some ideas. I think they recognize I’ve been pretty independent over the years,’’ Owen, a Democrat, said by phone today. “I think there is a good possibility of working it …

It’s not Nirvana but WA Lieutenant Governor candidate Bill Finkbeiner posts a music video/campaign ad (with Krist Novoselic’s help)

Peter Callaghan — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 22:29:30 +0000

Welcome to 2012 Lieutenant Governor Campaign — The Musical.

Incumbent Brad Owen has long been known for taking his band on the road to schools and other venues to promote an anti drug message.

Now Republican challenger Bill Finkbeiner has come up with his own musical number, his version of the country classic “I’ve Been Everywhere.”

Finkbeiner sings his version over a slide show with pictures of him, well, everywhere. He even manages to slip in a reference to his suggestion that the state Senate (the lieutenant governor presides) might be less partisan if the center aisle was removed and …

GOP’s Bill Finkbeiner to run against Lt. Gov. Brad Owen

Brad Shannon — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:42:09 +0000

Former state Senate Republican leader Bill Finkbeiner of Kirkland announced today he is running for lieutenant governor in 2012 in a bid to bring more bipartisanship to the state Capitol. Finkbeiner served as GOP leader in 2004-05, deciding one year later not to seek re-election.

In an email today, Finkbeiner spoke of trying to build more bipartisanship at the Legislature – even more than what four-term Democratic Lt. Gov. Brad Owen of Shelton has mustered as presiding officer. Among his ideas is use of a mediator to help settle disputes and less of the global travel Owen does to boost …

UPDATE: Kagan confirmed, time to ratchet up speculation about Chris Gregoire as solicitor general

Peter Callaghan — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 22:35:30 +0000

Yes, the history making confirmation has occurred and we should take a moment to absorb the significance of the fourth-ever female Supreme Court justice.

Ok, that’s enough.

But what if the springtime reports are true, that Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire is a possible replacement for Elena Kagan as U.S. solicitor general? That would trigger a sequence of events that would make for some interesting political news over the next few months.

UPDATE ONE: Gregoire told the Seattle Times Friday she will take the weekend to decide whether to ask the White House to drop her name from consideration, presuming …

Gov. Chris Gregoire says she’s not job hunting. But what if the president calls her to serve?

Peter Callaghan — Tue, 25 May 2010 19:20:57 +0000

Gov. Chris Gregoire repeated her statements about a potential federal appointment Tuesday – essentially that she has work to do in Washington state and isn’t looking for another job.

But she hesitated when asked if she could tell the president no if he called on her to serve as U.S. Solicitor General.

“It’s one thing to say I have a job. But you don’t look the president in the eye when he asks you to serve and say no,” she said. “I don’t know what I’d do.”

“The state needs consistent, stable leadership,” Gregoire said during a conversation in her …

Hotline On Call: Gregoire is on White House shortlist for solicitor general

Peter Callaghan — Wed, 12 May 2010 17:10:54 +0000

The National Journal’s Hotline On Call reports here that the White House has told the state’s congressional delegation that Gov. Chris Gregoire is, in fact, on their short list for solicitor general.

So my wild speculation Monday about Gregoire’s candidacy wasn’t wrong, just premature. The job would come open if Elena Kagan is confirmed for the U.S. Supreme Court, something that could happen by summer’s end.

Here’s what the report says: “Gregoire, a 2-term incumbent and a former WA AG, has been a rumored contender for other admin positions. But the WH has informed top aides to WA members …

Owen heads to Spain to see royals

Jordan Schrader — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:55:29 +0000

Lt. Gov. Brad Owen will meet with the king and queen of Spain during a trip to their country next week.

His office is emphasizing that Owen is traveling at no cost to taxpayers – or at least Washington taxpayers. The Spanish government is footing the bill.

Owen is making the trip as head of Washington’s delegation to a ceremony at the University of Washington’s study center in León.

He traveled there last year for a similar ceremony, to “formally open” the 9,000-square-foot center housed in a 14th-century palace, according to a news release. The May 4 event is to …

Song breaks out in Senate – thankfully, not from senators

Jordan Schrader — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:34:31 +0000

Evergreen State College students interrupted Senate floor action today by breaking into song from the gallery.

Several dozen young people sang out a version of “Amazing Grace” with modified lyrics, in what sounded like a protest of budget cuts to colleges.

Lt. Gov. Brad Owen dispatched a sergeant-at-arms to eject the students from the gallery.

As they finished their song, some Democrats applauded. Sens. Rosa Franklin and Craig Pridemore stood and clapped. Sen. Mike Carrell, whose speech they interrupted, was less pleased, marveling that a bunch of “turkeys” would intrude into a debate over a constitutional amendment.

As the last …