A former sports columnist has been chosen to lead the Washington state Republican Party as it seeks to regain ground lost to the Democrats in the 2008 election.
As a sports columnist, Luke Esser tagged himself "Luke the Truth." Today, his assignment is to be "Luke the Miracle Worker." He's the new state Republican Party chairman. The party got drubbed in the last election - including Esser's own surprising loss of his state Senate seat in traditionally Republican Bellevue - and starts the 2008 campaign cycle in a deep, deep hole.
Last weekend, GOP grass-roots leaders from the 39 counties dumped Chairwoman Diane Tebelius as the final victim of the election cycle and cast their lot with Esser. Party elders hope his genial personality, persuasive communication skills and Olympia connections will help lead them out of the wilderness.
Campaign pros and GOP legislative leaders say Esser and the fresh new look at the state party are a shot in the arm for a party that hasn't had much good news in a long time. He can help "de-link" state candidates from the national scene that was so damaging last year, said Senate Republican Leader Mike Hewitt.
With a law degree, journalism background and a grounding in politics and government, combined with an optimistic and diplomatic demeanor, the 45-year-old bachelor is equipped to take on the daunting task that awaits, his colleagues say.
GOP strategist Dave Mortenson said Esser's skills remind him of another Bellevue Republican who shined as chair for a decade before going to Congress, Jennifer Dunn.
Democrats hold two-thirds of the seats in both houses of the Washington legislature. The AP story says Esser plans to assign the new party communications director to Olympia, the state capital, for the duration of the legislative session, as part of a plan to "amplify the caucuses' increasingly astringent commentaries on one-party control by the Democrats."
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