PORT ANGELES — If he is elected governor, he will work to make Washington state becomes a haven for entrepreneurs, Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi told about 50 people at a fundraiser on Thursday.
“We need to create an environment where small business owners have a shot at success,” he said at the reception hosted by the North Peninsula Building Association at the Port Angeles Yacht Club.
Rossi said he came to Port Angeles to spread that message and encourage his supporters to vote in both the Aug. 19 primary election and the Nov. 4 general election.
“I made this decision to finish what we started,” Rossi said to applause.
“I’m the poster boy for every vote counts.”
Rossi expects a rematch against Gov. Chris Gregoire, who make appearances in Port Townsend, Port Angeles and Sequim earlier this week.
In 2004, Rossi led the race against Gregoire in the first two counts of votes for governor, but additional ballots were found, and Rossi lost by 129 votes in the third count.
“Everyone in this room knows 129 people,” he said Thursday.
Rossi said 66 percent of his contributors are new to the campaign.
“They are kicking themselves” for not voting in the last election,” he said.
Rossi’s campaign has raised $6.2 million — which is more than it raised in 2004 — with an average contribution of $58.
Earlier in the day, Rossi met with Forks Mayor Nedra Reed, and toured the Forks Community Hospital and the Forks Timber Museum.
Reed said she talked to Rossi about health care problems, poverty and other issues often faced by residents of rural communities.
“It’s important for this community to have someone come and listen to us, regardless of their political affiliation . . . and for people to have their voices heard no matter how small we are” Reed said.
“I left with the distinct impression that he would be back.”
