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Rep. Bill Eickmeyer Decides Not to Run in 2008

Although the next legislative election is 15 months away, at least one House of Representatives incumbant will not be around to serve during the 2009 session. Rep. William “Ike” Eickmeyer (D-Belfair), a ten-year veteran of the House of Representatives announced yesterday he will retire at the end of his current term.  Eickmeyer was originally appointed to his 35th district seat (Shelton, Belfair, parts of Bremerton), replacing Sen. Tim Sheldon (D-Potlatch) and has won re-election five times.

Eickmeyer has suffered from a number of health issues and last year was embroiled in an ethics investigations and given a caution letter by the Legislative Ethics Board in February 2007 for improperly directing his legislative aide to write letters and make phone calls on behalf of a non-profit agency that he runs.

Eickmeyer has endorsed local businessman and former Griffin School district board member Fred Finn to succeed him on the Democratic side.  Randy Neatherlin, a Republican who ran unsuccesfully against Eickmeyer in 2006 has not decided whether to run again in 2008.