Changing tunes: Nirvana bassist seeks county office

By Associated Press

Summary

Former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic is running for clerk of Wahkiakum County, to protest the state's method of letting candidates pick their own party affiliation.

Story Published: Jun 4, 2009 at 4:43 PM PST

Story Updated: Jun 4, 2009 at 5:04 PM PST

CATHLAMET, Wash. (AP) - Former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic is running for clerk of Wahkiakum County, to protest the state's method of letting candidates pick their own party affiliation.

Novoselic, who lives in the small town of Naselle, is active in local politics. He's chairman of the county Democratic Party, and head of his local chapter of the Grange, a civic organization.

Novoselic's election paperwork declares that he's running under the "Grange Party" banner, even though the Grange isn't a political party.

Novoselic tells The Daily World newspaper that he's protesting the state's system, which lets candidates pick their own party when they run for office. He thinks that intrudes on the Grange's right to pick its own members.