As cliché as that may be that is the best warning I can give to Don, who will be facing re-election as a freshman member of the state house next year. He already has two potential challengers, one of whom could be an almost insurmountable challenge for him.
There is of course John Serbin who Don defeated last year to be elected as one of the first Democrat’s in the 6th along with Chris Marr to go to the statehouse. Don had a lot going for him last year, despite barely doing an ounce of campaigning himself. He had Chris Marr who spent a record amount of money in a state senate race, a national wave, and a dedicated campaign manager who spent 7 months of his life from seven in the morning into the late hours of the night working to get him elected. If Don wants to hold on to his seat he is going to have to do a lot more, starting now.
Kevin Parker, a local Spokane coffee magnate (who notably owns Dutch Brothers Coffee), and very like-able Republican is looking at throwing his hat into the race. Anyone who spent any amount of time around the Democratic office in Spokane last year will have met Kevin, who always had time to talk, and would even host “free coffee days” for our office, he knows how to make friends, and as people would discover through conversations with him, he was a member of a “new breed” Republican, he’s fairly socially liberal, but fiscally conservative, and as a business owner he feels that categorizes him more with the Republicans. Kevin is very interesting guy, he recently bought an early 90’s diesel Mercedes and is intending to convert it either to bio-diesel or a grease car. He’s taken the first step towards using renewable energy, and for those who know me personally know it is an issue near and dear to my heart. Every candidate or politician I have come in contact with I have attempted to influence to use more bio-fuels. I hope this is a sign of things to come and that more Democrats and green activists begin throwing themselves wholeheartedly at the issue of renewable energy.
I want to see the Democrats maintain their hold on the statehouse, and hanging onto more seats in the Spokane area. Unless Don steps up to the plate and begins actively campaigning for his re-election this reality could quickly slip away from us.
So Don, again I re-iterate, Danger Don Barlow! Danger!