Political Stunner: Jennifer Dunn To Retire

Political Stunner: Jennifer Dunn To Retire

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Story Published: Jan 31, 2004 at 4:23 AM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:24 AM PDT

By KOMO Staff & News Services

OLYMPIA - Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn, Washington state's senior Republican in Congress and a favorite of the Bush White House, stirred up Washington's political scene Friday night by announcing she's retiring from politics.

The 61-year-old Dunn had been courted by President Bush to run for the U.S. Senate this fall. But she tells The Associated Press that she has decided to serve out her sixth House term and then retire from public life.

She says her decision was prompted by family considerations -- she's newly remarried -- and a desire for one more career after politics.

Dunn says it was a difficult choice to quit, but says this feels like the right time. She says she'll probably move on to work in the private sector.

Dunn was chairwoman of the state Republican Party for a decade before winning her congressional seat in 1992.

The Bellevue native was regularly re-elected by large margins, and had been a heavy favorite to win again this year.

So who is in line to replace her? Dunn herself hasn't endorsed anyone, but mentions several Republicans she calls "emerging heroes" in the 8th District who would be good. She adds it's not an exclusive list.

They include radio talk-show veterans John Carlson and Kirby Wilbur, King County Sheriff Dave Reichert, former Seahawks star and family advocate Jeff Kemp, King County Councilman Rob McKenna, state Senator Luke Esser and former state Senator Dino Rossi. Rossi, however, tells The AP that he's sticking with his race for governor.

Democrats already were targeting the district in the suburbs east of Seattle. The district has voted for Governor Gary Locke, Al Gore and other Democrats despite its reputation as a Republican stronghold. On the Democratic side, Alex Alben, a retired high-tech executive from Mercer Island, has raised nearly $290,000 for a race this year.

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