Democrat takes on Doc Hastings

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Jay Clough, a former Marine from the Tri-Cities, hopes to accomplish what no Democrat before him has been able to do: Defeat Congressman Doc Hastings.

Clough, 33, kicked off his 2010 campaign Monday by accusing the incumbent congressman of being too comfortable and too complacent in his job.

“I think he’s been in there too long and has gotten used to it and people are tired of it,” the Democratic challenger said of Hastings during a news conference at Millenium Plaza.

Accompanied by a handful of supporters, Clough focused his message on foreign trade and renewable jobs, saying that, if elected, he would work in both areas to help the local economy.

Clough, who has lived in China, Korea and Japan and now works for a Hanford cleanup company, said he’s interested in expanding overseas fruit markets for local growers and bring more jobs to Central Washington.

“You don’t see a Washington apple in a supermarket in Japan,” said Clough, who taught English there for three years. “I think that would be a great help to growers here.”

He also said bringing more production of wind turbines, solar panels and other renewable energy resources would help create more jobs in the region.

“This is the emerging technology that I believe is going to help us bounce back from the economic slump,” he said.

Clough also expressed support for health care reform and said he would seek positive changes to make coverage more affordable but he did not dwell on the issue.

 He contended that Hastings, a Republican from Pasco, has not been working hard enough on jobs, health coverage and trade.

“We need a representative that is proposing new ideas and new solutions,” said Clough, who has never held or sought political office. “The important thing in a representative is they know where to look for answers — they surround themselves with people who have the answers.”

Clough grew up in Kennewick, graduated from Central Washington University with degrees in Pacific Asian studies and Chinese, and served in the Marines from 1995 to 1999, attaining the rank of corporal. Now married, he’s helping Washington Closure Hanford develop record keeping and storage methods for cleanup of the nuclear waste site.

Yakima County Democratic Chairwoman Mary Stephenson, Paul George, Ron Bonlender and George Fearing, a Democrat who unsuccessfully challenged Hastings in 2008, were among those waving signs of support for Clough.

Hastings, who wrested the 4th Congressional District seat from Democrat Jay Inslee in 1994, has never come close to losing it. He has taken at least 60 percent of the vote in every election since 1998, including a 63 percent to 37 percent win over Fearing last year.

Despite the odds of beating a Republican in rural Washington, Washington state Democratic Party officials say they are excited about Clough’s candidacy.

“Great guy — he’s a fresh voice for the people of the district,” said state Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz. “He’s the front-runner from the Democratic Party right now, that’s for sure. In a few months, I think we’ll consolidate behind him.”

Clough said he has about $6,000 in campaign funds, and about another $20,000 in promised money.

Hastings, who is in his eighth term, has more than $202,000 in cash on hand, according to financial reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

He has not formally announced a re-election bid but is the Republican Party’s presumptive candidate in the 4th District.

Hastings is used to having a Democratic opponent when seeking re-election and it doesn’t sidetrack him from working for his constituents, said his spokeswoman, Jessica Gleason, in Washington, D.C.

• Information from Yakima Herald-Republic reporter Pat Muir was used in this story.

• Phil Ferolito can be reached at 509-577-7749 or pferolito@yakimaherald.com.