State Rep. Jim McIntire (D-Seattle) who represents the 46th district in Seattle and also teaches part-time at the University of Washington announced Tuesday that he will give up his seat to make a run for State Treasurer in 2008. Three-term incumbant Mike Murphy has decided to retire when his term ends next year and McIntire is the first Democrat to announce his candidacy for the office. McIntire has served in the House since 1998 and most recently was chairman of the House Finance Committee. He lost his chairmanship of that panel last session.
McIntire has already received endorsements from Speaker Frank Chopp, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown and former Governor Booth Gardner. Treasurer Mike Murphy, a Democrat, has endorsed his Deputy Allan Martin who is running as a Republican.
Here’s a story from Wednesday’s Olympian newspaper titled “Professor Begins Race for State Treasurer.”