GOP candidate bows out of race

And then there were six.

Attorney J.J. Sandlin, a Republican, made the crowded race for Mary Skinner's state House seat slightly less crowded Monday by dropping out. His departure leaves five Republicans and a Democrat vying for the 14th District seat, soon to be vacated by the retiring Skinner, R-Yakima.

"I just figured I was a little redun-dant," Sandlin said. "And my plate's pretty full with my law practice."

Having entered the race out of the blue on June 6, he left abruptly a scant 17 days later. Though he still believes he could have won, the 63-year-old Sandlin figured there was no reason to stay in the race if he wasn't fully committed to it.

"I figured if I'm going to leave, I better leave fast," he said.

The Republicans still running are Yakima City Councilman Norm Johnson, former principal and Union Gap schools chief Bob McLaughlin, Yakima attorney Al Schweppe, former Union Gap Mayor Aubrey Reeves and Scott Hess, who works for the National Federation of Independent Business.
The Democrat is Yakima school board President Vickie Ybarra.

Sandlin said he will not endorse any of the other candidates until after the primary. He called the early endorsements given to Johnson from prominent local Republicans such as state Sen. Curtis King and state Rep. Charles Ross "a little silly."

Hess also has com-plained about those early endorsements, saying they were given before all of the candidates got a chance to meet with party leaders.

Sandlin insisted, however, that's not why he left the race Monday.

"I'm not disgruntled or anything," he said.

His departure could ultimately help the Republican Party in this race, said Yakima County Republican State Committeeman John Tierney. With one fewer Republican to choose from, there's less risk of a diluted vote and more opportunity to focus on the remaining candidates, he said.

"I appreciate J.J.'s candor and his willingness to step aside," Tierney said.

* Pat Muir can be reached at 577-7693 or pmuir@yakimaherald.com.