GOP loses another possible candidate for (Washington) governor

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GOP loses another possible candidate for governor
Wireless billionaire Stanton says he won't run

By NEIL MODIE
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

For the second time in less than a month, the state Republican Party has lost one of its most ardently recruited prospects for governor in 2004.

John Stanton, 47, the billionaire chief executive of Western Wireless, disclosed to political and business associates this week that he won't be a candidate, sources told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer yesterday.

King County Sheriff Dave Reichert, after a year of testing a possible gubernatorial candidacy, announced June 20 that he wasn't running. He hinted that he might consider a campaign for county executive in 2005.

More at the Seattle P-I