Kucinich plans visit and Liias plans announcement

U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio is coming to Washington next week to serve pancakes at a fund raiser for the 32nd Legislative Democrats.

“He’s coming to see his peeps,” said Sen. Maralyn Chase, D-Edmonds, who will be introducing Kucinich at the event in Shoreline.

Count her among those who will be showing up to hear how serious Kucinich is about moving to their neighborhood – or somewhere else in Washington – and running for Congress.

It’s one of the more well-stoked rumors of late. Shoreline is in the 1st Congressional District and served by Democratic Congressman Jay Inslee. But the seat would become open if Gov. Chris Gregoire does not seek a third term and Inslee vies to succeed her.

The event is set for 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 22 at the Richmond Masonic Center, 753 N. 185th St.

Meanwhile, Rep. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, is expected next week to announce he’s forming a committee to explore a run for Inslee’s seat – should the incumbent not seek re-election.

Liias said the purpose of the committee “is to determine if I am the right candidate and is this the right time. And it is definitely to send a signal inside Washington and outside the state that I’m serious about it.”