Politician lists $2,161 wardrobe expense

BELLEVUE, Wash., Sept. 24 (UPI) -- A Washington State county councilman should be easy for his constituents to spot: he'll be the one wearing something from his $2,161 new wardrobe.

Republican King County Councilman Rob McKenna of Bellevue, Wash., is standing for a third term this fall, as well as planning to run for state attorney general next year.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer says McKenna apparently doesn't want to appear shabby, so he bought $2,161.03 worth of new clothes -- claiming the entire amount as a campaign expense.

McKenna told the newspaper: "I was overdue for new clothes. ... I've been getting by with the same suits for several years."

The Post-Intelligencer says the politician spent $1,906.51 at the Bellevue Nordstrom store for what he says were a suit, two sport coats, two pairs of slacks, a half-dozen shirts and ties.

A few days later he returned, spending $254.52 for shoes, belts and socks.

Said McKenna: "You can only wear the same thing for so long before you start getting sick of it. I've been wearing the same Navy blue suit and shirt for 10 years, so it was about time" for something new.