New challenger surfaces in House race

After three days as a candidate for U.S. Congress, John Gotts is calling off his campaign in favor of something a little smaller.

Gotts, a 40-year-old Internet entrepreneur living in White Salmon, Wash., announced Tuesday he planned to be the third Democrat in the race to unseat Republican stalwart Doc Hastings in the 4th U.S. Congressional District. Late Friday afternoon he called the news media to put the kibosh on that nascent campaign.

Gotts said he will instead run as a Democrat for the 15th District state House seat held by Bruce Chandler,
R-Granger.

"I would be a much bigger help to the party and could do all the things I want to do at the state Legislature level," he said.

Gotts said he reached that conclusion after talking with Democratic Party chairmen in Central Washington counties and with state party Chairman Dwight Pelz.

The state party is supporting U.S. 4th District candidate George Fearing, a Tri-Cities attorney, and has donated $5,000 to his campaign. Don Moody, a Wenatchee author and former radio newsman, also is running as a Democrat. Hastings has held the seat since 1994.

Chandler is the only known candidate so far for House Position 1 in state Legislative District 15, so it's a less crowded field for Gotts to enter. But he still faces a long-term incumbent. Chandler is seeking his sixth term and has held the seat since 1999.

According to the state Public Disclosure Commission, he has raised more than $21,000 for the campaign. Chandler puts that number closer to $40,000 counting contributions that haven't been reported yet.

"I expected that I would have a challenge and it would be a competitive year," he said.