Political Buzz - ChangMook Sohn, chief economist, runs for state treasurer

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Monday, March 3rd, 2008

ChangMook Sohn, chief economist, runs for state treasurer

Posted by Joe Turner @ 09:41:51 am

We've been waiting for this announcement for months, and here it is.

Washington's chief economist, ChangMook Sohn, director of the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council, is announcing his candidacy for state treasurer.

He's running as a Democrat, so that means he is facing state Rep. Jim McIntire, D-Seattle, in the primary election. McIntire also is an economist. He's also chairman of the Revenue Forecast Council.

So it was interesting last month when Sohn announced that his February forecast was his last, then said only "No more statement."

Today, he elaborate: "I was there to announce the revenue, not to announce my candidacy, and today I am here to do the other part," Sohn said.

Sohn, 63, (he'll be 64 on the 25th), resigned his state job last Friday.

He had a bout with colon cancer in late 2006 and 2007, but says he's gotten a clean bill of health from his doctor. He underwent six months of chemotherapy, the last was in July. All three of his post-chemo CAT scans have turned out great, including one two weeks ago, he said.

Why is he running?

"Number one, I can protect the public's money better than anyone," he said. "And I can do the invest the best for the state's future.

"To do both well, you have to have a thorough economic understanding, not onlyi of the U.S. but the state and the world," he said.

Categories: Tacoma, Campaign news

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