Gov. Locke may have to stay around

[Freddie Stubbs]

By DAVID AMMONS
AP political writer

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Lame-duck Gov. Gary Locke may not be limping off into the sunset.

If the slugfest between Dino Rossi and Christine Gregoire doesn't produce a new governor by the scheduled Jan. 12 inauguration, Locke may have to stick around. He's not thrilled.

That's because of a provision of the state constitution that says the governor's term of office is four years "and until his successor is elected and qualified."

That provision has never had a practical impact. But now the state is in uncharted territory with a governor's race that is headed into an unprecedented third count.

more: http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2004/12/02/news/the_west/thuwes02.txt

[AntiCoup2K4]

1. Locke hasn't exactly been a model Democratic governor.

But I'll take 8 more years of him over one day of Rossi.