Rep. Newhouse Endorses Seattle Port Commissioner for Governor

Seattle Port Commissioner Bill Bryant picked up an important endorsement Wednesday, one that likely puts him ahead of some other potential GOP candidates to run for Washington state governor in 2016.

Bryant, who recently appeared on Newstalk 870's Meet In The Middle show, has been officially endorsed by GOP Representative Dan Newhouse. He issued a statement that read in part:

“Bill has first-hand knowledge of the important issues facing Central Washington.  His steadfast leadership has developed international markets for Washington agricultural products, and I have personally seen how Bill can bring people together to find solutions.”

Bryant and Newhouse worked together on a number of trade and export causes and issues when Newhouse was the Washington State Secretary of Agriculture. Along with overseeing one of the biggest ports on the West Coast in Seattle, Bryant also has grown an export company that helped open worldwide trade for numerous Washington state agricultural products.

The endorsement is considered significant, because no other GOP candidates have officially declared themselves. There are a number of Republican state leaders in the House and Senate who have some name recognition but Bryant so far is well out in front after declaring his intention to run, and beginning to campaign now.

Many political experts think he could, because of his track record as Seattle Port Commissioner, do well on the West side in 2016. Some think he could become the first GOP Governor in decades in our state.