Just when you thought Yakima might be normal

So, apparently Chris Gregoire did not screw over her party in the 14th legislative district -- thanks to Rep. Jim Clements [R-Selah]. Clements was considered the likely appointee to Alex Deccio's Senate seat were he appointed to the Eastern Washington Growth Management Hearings Board, but announced at the beginning of this month that he is retiring from the House seat he has held the past 12 years, and if for some other reason Deccio does retire before the end of the term, he is not interested in having it. That means Yakima City Councilman Ron Bonlender will be running for the second seat, giving Democrats at least an outside shot at it, while Yakima businessman Glen Blomgren and former Naches Mayor Charles Ross have thus far announced for the Republican primary. For the record, Clements supports Ross to be his successor.

Elsewhere, some dude named Dale Murphy has filed to run against my sentimental favourite state legislator, Rep. Fred Jarrett [R-Mercer Island]. Probably not a big deal, unless it's this Dale Murphy.