Representative Tom Campbell
Photo from Representative Campbell’s official website

“State Rep. Tom Campbell is running for 9th Congressional District, regardless of whether U.S. Rep. Adam Smith runs”

“But rumors persist that Congressman Adam Smith, D-Tacoma, is going to get some kind of job in President Barack Obama’s Administration, so he won’t be running for re-election.

I reported earlier in this blog that state Rep. Tom Campbell, R-Roy, was looking to announce his congressional bid if Smith did get a D.C. job. Now, I’m hearing from the Republican side of the street that Campbell is running for Congress, regardless.

UPDATE: Campbell just called back. He’s runnin’. He said he’s filed the paperwork with election officials.
‘This district fits me,’ he said.
The 9th District runs from Burien (King County) to Bucoda (Thurston County), cutting right through the middle of Pierce County. That includes his 2nd Legislative District, which has parts of Pierce and Thurston counties,” quoting the Tacoma News Tribune Blog of Joe Turner.

Rep. Campbell wrote to the Yelm Community Blog with this news, as well.

THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG WISHES BOTH CONGRESSIONAL REP. SMITH & REP. CAMPBELL WELL IN THEIR ENDEAVORS! THESE TWO MEN HAVE PROVEN THEIR COMMITMENT TO OUR AREA WITH YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE IN LISTENING TO THE CONSTITUENTS OF THIS DISTRICT!

UPDATE: Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009
From the AP:
“U.S. Rep. Adam Smith says he is not taking a job with the Obama administration and will run for re-election.

The Washington state Democrat, from Tacoma, chaired President Barack Obama’s election campaign in Washington and has been rumored for a possible slot in the new administration, most likely in the State Department or Pentagon.

But Smith told The News Tribune that he has decided to stay in Congress, where he was just elected to a seventh term in the 9th District. Smith says he explored his options with administration officials, but concluded that Congress is the best place for him. He says he loves Tacoma and that his children will remain in public schools there.

Smith was named Thursday to the House Select Committee on Intelligence. He also serves on Armed Services and Foreign Affairs,” quoting the Tacoma News Tribune.”

UPDATE
This report was filed on February 11th by Bruce Smith of Pierce County’s Dispatch.
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