Gotts drops out of 15th District race

YAKIMA, Wash. -- State House candidate John Gotts of White Salmon is ending his campaign and moving to California.

Gotts, an Internet entrepreneur and one of two Democrats who filed to challenge Republican state Rep. David Taylor in the 15th District, said Wednesday he’d found backers for a new Web venture in Palo Alto.

“These opportunities don’t come up very often,” the 42-year-old said.

Gotts’ withdrawal from the race came six days after the state Secretary of State’s office certified this year’s legislative candidates. His name will still appear on the ballot alongside Taylor and Donicio Marichalar of Grandview in the August primary.

Meanwhile, Gotts said he’ll launch www.byjobi.com, a Web site designed to simplify Google’s advanced search features.

Gotts, who lost a state House race last year to state Rep. Bruce Chandler, R-Granger, wished Marichalar well Wednesday and said he expects to be back in 15th District politics.

“My intention, when this (Internet venture) is over in two years, is to return and probably live in the Toppenish area and probably be involved in politics,” he said.