Dino Rossi, 2-time gubernatorial candidate, has a new job

Two-time Washington Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi has a new job.

He's working for Coast Equity Partners, an Everett-based commercial real estate firm, to scout out investors for income-producing properties in Washington and four other Western states.

The 49-year-old Rossi told the Herald, "It's where I started, and it's always been my first love in the business world."

About three days a week since the start of the year, he commutes from his Sammamish, Wash., home to the company headquarters.

It wasn't surprising that Rossi wound up with the company. Tom Hoban, one of the company's partners, led Rossi's campaign fundraising efforts in Snohomish County. Michael Harmon, the company president, teamed with Rossi on the 2005 purchase of a building in Mill Creek that's been a steady generator of income.

In November, Rossi lost to Gov. Chris Gregoire in a rematch of their 2004 election that went to two recounts and an unsuccessful court challenge.

Rossi said it's all about the job for him now.

He's not joining fraternal groups, service organization, chambers of commerce or attending Snohomish County Republican Party meetings although he is keeping long-standing ties with the Special Olympics, Seattle University School of Business and University of Washington Deans Advisory Board.

"I unplugged from almost everything political," Rossi said.

He said people are soliciting his advice about their political future as candidates.

"I try to find out why they're running," Rossi said. "I tell them the only reason to run is to be in the right place at the right time to do some public good. I tell them if you want to see your name in the newspaper, I can guarantee you it'll be surrounded by words that you don't like."

Rossi said Republicans are starting to do what they need to do and give the public a viable option to Democrats.

He forecast Republicans picking up seats in the House and Senate in 2010 and again in 2012. Voters' will grow weary of Democrats' "arrogant" control of the Legislature, he predicted.

Rossi won't say he'll never run for office again.

"I haven't said I'd never run again though I don't know what it'd be at this point. Never say never," he said. "Sometimes losing is winning. God has a different plan for the Rossi family and with that I'm good. I'm happy with that."

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Information from: The Herald, http://www.heraldnet.com