GOP self-starter (Federico Cruz) announces candidacy (WA Governor)

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Thursday, July 31, 2003 · Last updated 3:58 p.m. PT

GOP self-starter announces candidacy; party still waiting

By DAVID AMMONS
AP POLITICAL WRITER

OLYMPIA -- Republicans finally have a candidate for governor - Dr. Federico Cruz, director of the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.

But state GOP Chairman Chris Vance says Cruz won't be nominated and should consider running for lieutenant governor. A stronger candidate, such as former Microsoft executive Bob Herbold, will be coming along, he said Thursday.

Since Democratic Gov. Gary Locke announced last week that he's stepping down after two terms, his party has fielded three big-name Democrats: Attorney General Christine Gregoire, King County Executive Ron Sims and former Supreme Court Justice Phil Talmadge of West Seattle.

More at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer