Published: Tuesday, August 9, 2011, 6:32 p.m.
Everett pastor enters governor race
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Republican Shahram Hadian of Everett, a Christian pastor and former Muslim who now lectures on the threat of radical Islam, has launched a campaign for governor.
Hadian declared his candidacy Saturday afternoon at a rally of political conservatives in Walla Walla. He later posted the news on Facebook.
"Today we launched this campaign in Walla Walla, Washington, where the historic roots of our State began," he wrote. "Here was great energy in the crowd as we celebrated the conservative principles that have made our nation so great."
Hadian, a native of Iran, came to the United States at the age of 7. Today, he is a pastor at Christ the King Community Church and founder of the Truth in Love Project.
In 2010, in his first bid for political office, he unsuccessfully challenged state Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, finishing third in the primary.
Hadian isn't likely to overtake Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna as the party's torchbearer in the race. But his entrance may signal that some on the party's right flank do not find McKenna conservative enough in the race against Democrat U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee.
For perspective, in 2010 Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dino Rossi faced an intraparty challenge from the right in Eastern Washington rancher Clint Didier. The challenge didn't seem to alter the course of Rossi's campaigning.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
Hadian declared his candidacy Saturday afternoon at a rally of political conservatives in Walla Walla. He later posted the news on Facebook.
"Today we launched this campaign in Walla Walla, Washington, where the historic roots of our State began," he wrote. "Here was great energy in the crowd as we celebrated the conservative principles that have made our nation so great."
Hadian, a native of Iran, came to the United States at the age of 7. Today, he is a pastor at Christ the King Community Church and founder of the Truth in Love Project.
In 2010, in his first bid for political office, he unsuccessfully challenged state Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, finishing third in the primary.
Hadian isn't likely to overtake Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna as the party's torchbearer in the race. But his entrance may signal that some on the party's right flank do not find McKenna conservative enough in the race against Democrat U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee.
For perspective, in 2010 Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dino Rossi faced an intraparty challenge from the right in Eastern Washington rancher Clint Didier. The challenge didn't seem to alter the course of Rossi's campaigning.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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