Washington governor nixes third term bid

OLYMPIA, Wash., July 21 (UPI) -- Washington State Gov. Gary Locke announced Monday he will not seek a third term next year, opting instead for more family time and "a normal life."

His decision set off a scramble for succession.

Within minutes, the Seattle Post Intelligencer said Attorney General Christine Gregoire, a Locke ally, announced she will seek the Democratic nomination next year.

Former Washington State Supreme Court Justice Phil Talmadge already is running, and King County Executive Ron Sims and U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee also are mentioned as possible Democratic candidates.

With Locke's departure, Republicans see a chance to gain the state's top office for the first time since 1980. Among Republicans, former Microsoft executive Bob Herbold, state Senate Budget Committee Chairman Dino Rossi, and King County Councilman Rob McKenna have discussed running.