But rumors persist that Congressman Adam Smith, D-Tacoma, is going to get some kind of job in President Barack Obama's Administration, so he won't be running for re-election.

I reported earlier in this blog that state Rep. Tom Campbell, R-Roy, was looking to announce his congressional bid if Smith did get a D.C. job. Now, I'm hearing from the Republican side of the street that Campbell is running for Congress, regardless.

UPDATE: Campbell just called back. He's runnin'. He said he's filed the paperwork with election officials.
"This district fits me," he said.
The 9th District runs from Burien (King County) to Bucoda (Thurston County), cutting right through the middle of Pierce County. That includes his 2nd Legislative District, which has parts of Pierce and Thurston counties.

And he's the first one out there.

Now, we'll have to see what happens in the next chapter of Mr. Smith goes to Washington. It might be, Mr. Smith stays in (the other) Washington.

Here's part of an e-mail I got from a source earlier tonight:

We have just heard a DC rumor (through the Republicans) that Adam is close to getting the appointment he wants, in the Defense Department or possibly State Dept., and that the appointment may happen as early as tomorrow. Tom is running, whether or not Adam Smith runs again -- but we're pretty sure he won't. Did you catch Adam today on MSNBC, being interviewed about the Middle East and commenting about Afghanistan? My best guess is that Adam wants to replace Michael G. Vickers, Ass't Sec. of Defense for Special Operations, Low-Intensity Conflict, and Assymetric Warfare. Vickers was in the CIA with Gates; he ran the Reagan-era Afghan operations and his character had a speaking role in Charlie Wilson's War. Adam's Armed Services Subcommittee has jurisdiction over this area, so Adam would be the perfect appointee -- unless part of Gates' price for staying on was keeping Vickers and others.

So, there you have it. Interesting rumor, huh? I love the elaborate ones. Anyway, I'll keep you posted.