PORT TOWNSEND — Congressman Jay Inslee, a Democrat from Bainbridge Island running for governor, won’t make it to the Jefferson County Democratic Party’s Fish Feast in person today.
But that doesn’t mean he won’t address those at the fundraiser gathered at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds at 4907 Landes St. in Port Townsend.
Inslee was scheduled to make his first Jefferson County campaign appearance at the annual fundraiser for county Democrats today but instead remained in Washington, D.C., for weekend votes on the federal debt limit.
He is expected to use Skype, the Internet video service, said Teri Nomura, Jefferson County Democratic chairwoman.
“We anticipate him being on Skype at 6:30 p.m.,” Nomura said, noting that events in Congress could change the timing.
“We’ll be set up and ready to roll as soon as he is able,” she said.
The Fish Feast, a traditional major fundraiser for the county party, will begin at 4 p.m. Dinner is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Tickets are $41 and can be bought online at www.jeffcodemocrats.com or at the door.
The meal will feature salmon grilled by Dos Okies; clams, mussels and oysters from Taylor Shellfish; greens and fruits from local farms; bread from Pane D’Amore; wine from the Wine Seller; and beer from the Port Townsend Brewing Co.
Entertainment also is planned, Nomura said.
Inslee has no other announced public appearances on the North Olympic Peninsula at this time.
He and state Attorney General Rob McKenna, a Bellevue Republican, have both announced candidacy for the governor’s seat in the November 2012 election.
McKenna’s next campaign stop in Jefferson County will be at noon Sunday, Aug. 21, at the Jefferson County Republican Picnic on the lawn at the Port Ludlow Resort Marina.
Inslee, 60, was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992. A resident of Yakima, he represented Washington’s 4th Congressional District but was defeated for re-election in 1994.
He ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1996, losing in the primary to the eventual winner, Gary Locke.
He was elected to the House in 1998 from the 1st Congressional District, a seat he has held ever since.
