The departing Democratic governor and the Democrat who would like to replace them will visit the North Olympic Peninsula on Monday — but not together.
Gov. Gary Locke, who has served two terms as governor, will spend about four hours Monday visiting Port Angeles on what probably will be his final visit as the state’s chief executive.
Locke announced in July 2003 that he would not seek a third term as governor.
Attorney General Christine Gregoire, the Democratic Party’s candidate to replace Locke, will visit both Port Angeles and Port Townsend on Monday.
She is making the visit as part of her “Right Direction for Washington” campaign against Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi of Sammamish.
The simultaneous appearances by Locke and Gregoire coincidence.
“I don’t think they have it planned at all,” said Clallam County Commissioner Mike Doherty, D-Port Angeles, who is a Gregoire campaign leader in the region.
“It’s been independent contacts to me from Gregoire’s campaign office and Gov. Locke’s office.”
Doherty is head of Gregoire’s Clallam County steering committee. He also has been a local contact person for Locke.
“They changed dates a couple of time weeks ago, so I think it’s independent,” he said.
