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{{Infobox State Senator {{Infobox State Senator
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'''Dino Rossi''' (born October 15, 1959) is an American ],<ref name=SeattlePIrealestate1 /> twice unsuccessful ] candidate for ], and former ] State Senator. In the ] that would become the closest gubernatorial race in United States history, Rossi was certified as governor-elect before losing a second hand recount to Democrat ].<ref>{{ cite news |url= http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/06/06/politics/main699934.shtml |title=Wash. Governor’s 2004 Win Stands |author=Jaime Holguin |work=Associated Press |date=2005-06-06 |accessdate=2005-06-06}}</ref> He also ran for Governor of Washington in 2008, losing to Gregoire 47% to 53%. In 2010, Rossi became a candidate for the ]. '''Dino Rossi''' (born October 15, 1959) is an American ],<ref name=SeattlePIrealestate1 /> twice unsuccessful ] candidate for ], and former ] State Senator. In the ] that would become the closest gubernatorial race in United States history, Rossi was certified as governor-elect before losing a second hand recount to Democrat ].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/06/06/politics/main699934.shtml |title=Wash. Governor’s 2004 Win Stands |author=Jaime Holguin |agency=Associated Press |date=2005-06-06 |accessdate=2005-06-06}}</ref> He also ran for Governor of Washington in 2008, losing to Gregoire 47% to 53%. In 2010, Rossi became a candidate for the ].


Rossi began his professional career in the ] industry, and continued to invest in and manage income properties throughout his formal political career. After the 2008 election, Rossi returned to commercial real estate industry full-time.<ref>{{ cite news |url= http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090503/NEWS01/705039892 |title=Rossi’s in town, and all business |author=Jerry Cornfield |work=The Everett Herald |date=2009-05-03 |accessdate=2009-05-03}}</ref> Rossi began his professional career in the ] industry, and continued to invest in and manage income properties throughout his formal political career. After the 2008 election, Rossi returned to commercial real estate industry full-time.<ref>{{ cite news |url= http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090503/NEWS01/705039892 |title=Rossi’s in town, and all business |author=Jerry Cornfield |work=The Everett Herald |date=2009-05-03 |accessdate=2009-05-03}}</ref>


During the spring of 2010 there was speculation that Rossi might enter the ] to challenge incumbent ]. Rossi entered the race on May 26, 2010.<ref name="publicola.net">http://www.publicola.net/2010/05/26/dino-rossi-announces-candidacy-for-u-s-senate/</ref> During the spring of 2010 there was speculation that Rossi might enter the ] to challenge incumbent ]. Rossi entered the race on May 26, 2010.<ref name="publicola.net">{{cite web|author=Josh Feit |url=http://www.publicola.net/2010/05/26/dino-rossi-announces-candidacy-for-u-s-senate/ |title=Dino Rossi Announces Candidacy for U.S. Senate « PubliCola |publisher=Publicola.net |date=2010-05-26 |accessdate=2010-06-15}}</ref>

⚫ == Personal life ==


⚫ ==Personal life==
Rossi is the son of John Rossi, an Italian-American ] teacher at Viewlands Elementary in North Seattle, and Eve Mkclusky, a beautician. Dino is the youngest of seven children raised by John and Eve.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20040928&slug=rossi28m|title=Family's struggles early in life forged Rossi's political identity|author=Ralph Thomas|work=Seattle Times|accessdate=2008-10-18|date=2004-09-28}}</ref> Rossi is the son of John Rossi, an Italian-American ] teacher at Viewlands Elementary in North Seattle, and Eve Mkclusky, a beautician. Dino is the youngest of seven children raised by John and Eve.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20040928&slug=rossi28m|title=Family's struggles early in life forged Rossi's political identity|author=Ralph Thomas|work=Seattle Times|accessdate=2008-10-18|date=2004-09-28}}</ref>


Rossi was raised in ] and graduated from Woodway High School in ]. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from ] in 1982. He is married, with four children, and lives in ].<ref name=votersguide>{{cite web|url=http://www.spokesmanreview.com/elections/2004/candidates/candidate.asp?ID=65|title=Election 2004 voters guide|accessdate=October 29, 2006|year=2004|publisher=Spokane Spokesman Review}}</ref> Rossi was raised in ] and graduated from Woodway High School in ]. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from ] in 1982. He is married, with four children, and lives in ].<ref name=votersguide>{{cite web|url=http://www.spokesmanreview.com/elections/2004/candidates/candidate.asp?ID=65|title=Election 2004 voters guide|accessdate=October 29, 2006|year=2004|publisher=Spokane Spokesman Review}}</ref>


==Business life== == Business life ==

After college he began in the commercial real estate business.<ref name=SeattlePIrealestate1>{{cite web|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/197161_rossi28.html|title=Rossi hopes his American Dream takes him further|accessdate=October 28, 2004|year=2004|publisher=Seattle Post Intelligencer}}</ref> He became a commercial real estate salesman, managing and owning real estate.<ref name=AgentorBroker>{{cite web|url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/192888_rossi29.html|title=Campaign 2004: Rossi clarifies professional status|accessdate=July 18, 2008|year=2004|publisher=Seattle Post Intelligencer}}</ref> Rossi was formerly an owner of the Everett Aquasox minor league baseball team.<ref name=PublicolaRossiearmarks1>{{cite web|url=http://www.publicola.net/2010/06/04/it-turns-out-rossi-has-a-history-of-piling-up-the-earmarks-too/|title=It Turns Out Rossi Has a History of Piling Up Earmarks Too|accessdate=June 4, 2010|year=2010|publisher=Publicola News}}</ref> After college he began in the commercial real estate business.<ref name=SeattlePIrealestate1>{{cite web|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/197161_rossi28.html|title=Rossi hopes his American Dream takes him further|accessdate=October 28, 2004|year=2004|publisher=Seattle Post Intelligencer}}</ref> He became a commercial real estate salesman, managing and owning real estate.<ref name=AgentorBroker>{{cite web|url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/192888_rossi29.html|title=Campaign 2004: Rossi clarifies professional status|accessdate=July 18, 2008|year=2004|publisher=Seattle Post Intelligencer}}</ref> Rossi was formerly an owner of the Everett Aquasox minor league baseball team.<ref name=PublicolaRossiearmarks1>{{cite web|url=http://www.publicola.net/2010/06/04/it-turns-out-rossi-has-a-history-of-piling-up-the-earmarks-too/|title=It Turns Out Rossi Has a History of Piling Up Earmarks Too|accessdate=June 4, 2010|year=2010|publisher=Publicola News}}</ref>


Dino Rossi is co-founder of the Bellevue, Washington-based Eastside Commercial Bank.<ref name=PoliticoRossibank1>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0510/Rossi_linked_to_troubled_commercial_bank.html|title=Rossi linked to troubled commercial bank|accessdate=May 10, 2010|year=2010|publisher=Politico}}</ref> Dino Rossi is co-founder of the Bellevue, Washington-based Eastside Commercial Bank.<ref name=PoliticoRossibank1>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0510/Rossi_linked_to_troubled_commercial_bank.html|title=Rossi linked to troubled commercial bank|accessdate=May 10, 2010|year=2010|publisher=Politico}}</ref>


==Political positions== == Political positions ==

===Spending earmarks=== === Spending earmarks ===

Rossi has said he will not use earmarks if elected as a United States senator from Washington.<ref name=SeatimesRossiearmarks1>{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2011968135_rossi_says_hed_forgo_earmarks.html|title=Rossi says he'd forgo earmarks|accessdate=May 27, 2010|year=2010|publisher=Seattle Times}}</ref> Rossi has said he will not use earmarks if elected as a United States senator from Washington.<ref name=SeatimesRossiearmarks1>{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2011968135_rossi_says_hed_forgo_earmarks.html|title=Rossi says he'd forgo earmarks|accessdate=May 27, 2010|year=2010|publisher=Seattle Times}}</ref>


==Political history== == Political history ==

===State Senate tenure=== === State Senate tenure ===

In 1992, Rossi ran for a ] seat in a district representing suburbs east of ] in the ]. After winning a divisive ] ], he lost the ]. In 1996, Rossi ran again for the State Senate and was elected. In 1992, Rossi ran for a ] seat in a district representing suburbs east of ] in the ]. After winning a divisive ] ], he lost the ]. In 1996, Rossi ran again for the State Senate and was elected.


Rossi served in the ] from 1997 until December 2003, when he resigned to spend full time ].<ref name=rossiquitssenate>{{cite web|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/151356_rossi06.html|title=Rossi quits Senate for governor's race|accessdate=December 6, 2003|author=Paul Queary|date=December 6, 2003|publisher=Associated Press}}</ref> During his time as senator, he gained a reputation for being a political consensus builder with a proven ability to build bipartisan coalitions.<ref name=budgetwriter>{{cite web|url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20030512&slug=rossi12m|title=Budget writer thrives in legislative hothouse|accessdate=May 12, 2003|author=Ralph Thomas|date=May 12, 2003|publisher=The Seattle Times}}</ref> When the Senate Republicans gained the majority in 2002, Rossi became chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee that writes the state’s two year operating budget. It was in this position that Rossi was widely credited for closing a $2.7 billion budget deficit without raising taxes.<ref name=presidentialpolitics>{{cite web|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB108068797363569516.html?mod=googlewsj|title=Presidential Politics Overshadow Rise of State Level Stars|accessdate=March 31, 2004|author=James Harwood|date=March 31, 2004|publisher=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> He passed this budget with bipartisan support,<ref name=withoutnewtaxes>{{cite web|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/116050_budget05.shtml|title=Senate GOP pushes budget through without new taxes|accessdate=April 3, 2003|author=David Ammons|date=April 3, 2003|publisher=The Associated Press}}</ref> gaining praise from members of both parties, including the ranking Democrat on the budget committee. The budget chief for Democratic Governor ] said of Rossi in 2003, “The really good legislators move from one side to the other really effortlessly, and I think Dino did that.”<ref name="budgetwriter"/> Rossi served in the ] from 1997 until December 2003, when he resigned to spend full time ].<ref name=rossiquitssenate>{{cite news|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/151356_rossi06.html|title=Rossi quits Senate for governor's race|accessdate=December 6, 2003|author=Paul Queary|date=December 6, 2003|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> During his time as senator, he gained a reputation for being a political consensus builder with a proven ability to build bipartisan coalitions.<ref name=budgetwriter>{{cite web|url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20030512&slug=rossi12m|title=Budget writer thrives in legislative hothouse|accessdate=May 12, 2003|author=Ralph Thomas|date=May 12, 2003|publisher=The Seattle Times}}</ref> When the Senate Republicans gained the majority in 2002, Rossi became chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee that writes the state’s two year operating budget. It was in this position that Rossi was widely credited for closing a $2.7 billion budget deficit without raising taxes.<ref name=presidentialpolitics>{{cite web|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB108068797363569516.html?mod=googlewsj|title=Presidential Politics Overshadow Rise of State Level Stars|accessdate=March 31, 2004|author=James Harwood|date=March 31, 2004|publisher=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> He passed this budget with bipartisan support,<ref name=withoutnewtaxes>{{cite news|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/116050_budget05.shtml|title=Senate GOP pushes budget through without new taxes|accessdate=April 3, 2003|author=David Ammons|date=April 3, 2003|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> gaining praise from members of both parties, including the ranking Democrat on the budget committee. The budget chief for Democratic Governor ] said of Rossi in 2003, “The really good legislators move from one side to the other really effortlessly, and I think Dino did that.”<ref name="budgetwriter"/>


Rossi sponsored a number of bills as a state senator prior to his role as chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, including the “Two Strikes” bill that puts child molesters away for life after a second conviction.<ref name=senatebill5509>{{citation|title=Senate Bill 5509|dateformat=mdy |accessdate=November 23, 2009|date=1997 Legislative Session}}</ref> In 1998, he sponsored the “Mary Johnsen Act,”<ref name=deepbreath>{{cite web|url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19971229&slug=2580563|title=Take A Deep Breath Now, And Try To Start Your Car|accessdate=December 29, 1997|author=James Vesley|date=December 29, 1997|publisher=The Seattle Times}}</ref> named for a Sammamish resident who was killed by a drunk driver. The bill required ]s for certain convicted drunk drivers in the state of Washington. Rossi received the national finalist award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his work. He also sponsored the “Dane Rempfer bill”<ref name=lawsbearnames>{{cite web|url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20000331&slug=4012908|title=Crime laws bear names of young victims|accessdate=March 31, 2000|author=Jim Brunner|date=March 31, 2000|publisher=The Seattle Times}}</ref> that boosted penalties for those who left the scene of a fatal accident, named after a 15 year old boy from his district who was killed in a hit-and-run. It was his work on the 2003 budget that spurred others to recruit Rossi to run for governor.<ref name=gopfindscandidate>{{cite web|url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20031104&slug=rossi04m|title=GOP finds candidate for governor: Dino Rossi|accessdate=November 4, 2003|author=Ralph Thomas|date=November 4, 2003|publisher=The Seattle Times}}</ref> Rossi sponsored a number of bills as a state senator prior to his role as chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, including the “Two Strikes” bill that puts child molesters away for life after a second conviction.<ref name=senatebill5509>{{citation|title=Senate Bill 5509|dateformat=mdy |accessdate=November 23, 2009|date=1997 Legislative Session}}</ref> In 1998, he sponsored the “Mary Johnsen Act,”<ref name=deepbreath>{{cite web|url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19971229&slug=2580563|title=Take A Deep Breath Now, And Try To Start Your Car|accessdate=December 29, 1997|author=James Vesley|date=December 29, 1997|publisher=The Seattle Times}}</ref> named for a Sammamish resident who was killed by a drunk driver. The bill required ]s for certain convicted drunk drivers in the state of Washington. Rossi received the national finalist award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his work. He also sponsored the “Dane Rempfer bill”<ref name=lawsbearnames>{{cite web|url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20000331&slug=4012908|title=Crime laws bear names of young victims|accessdate=March 31, 2000|author=Jim Brunner|date=March 31, 2000|publisher=The Seattle Times}}</ref> that boosted penalties for those who left the scene of a fatal accident, named after a 15 year old boy from his district who was killed in a hit-and-run. It was his work on the 2003 budget that spurred others to recruit Rossi to run for governor.<ref name=gopfindscandidate>{{cite web|url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20031104&slug=rossi04m|title=GOP finds candidate for governor: Dino Rossi|accessdate=November 4, 2003|author=Ralph Thomas|date=November 4, 2003|publisher=The Seattle Times}}</ref>
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Rossi decided to run in November 2003,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.komonews.com/news/archive/4109156.html|title= State Senator Dino Rossi To Run For Governor|accessdate=November 3, 2003|author=KOMO Staff & News Services|date=November 3, 2003|publisher=KOMO News}}</ref> but was already facing an uphill battle in terms of money raised, low name identification with voters and trends established by the two prior GOP candidates for governor. The sitting Washington State Attorney General and Rossi’s eventual opponent in the general election, Christine Gregoire, had already raised $1.15 million by December, only weeks after Rossi officially kicked off his campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://cache.zoominfo.com/CachedPage/?archive_id=0&page_id=549942874&page_url=//www.theolympian.com/home/news/20031216/frontpage/2045.shtml&page_last_updated=12/17/2003+1:13:09+PM&firstName=Randall&lastName=Rappe|title= Gregoire leads money race|accessdate=December 16, 2003|author=Brad Shannon|date=December 16, 2003|publisher=The Olympian}}</ref> Furthermore, the previous two GOP candidates for governor had lost their campaign bids by 16% and 18.7% in 1996 and 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/results_report.aspx?e=20,17&c=&c2=&t=264&t2=2&p=&p2=&y=|title= Washington State General Election Results, 1996, 2000|accessdate= |author= |date= |publisher= Office of Washington State Secretary of State }}</ref> Rossi decided to run in November 2003,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.komonews.com/news/archive/4109156.html|title= State Senator Dino Rossi To Run For Governor|accessdate=November 3, 2003|author=KOMO Staff & News Services|date=November 3, 2003|publisher=KOMO News}}</ref> but was already facing an uphill battle in terms of money raised, low name identification with voters and trends established by the two prior GOP candidates for governor. The sitting Washington State Attorney General and Rossi’s eventual opponent in the general election, Christine Gregoire, had already raised $1.15 million by December, only weeks after Rossi officially kicked off his campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://cache.zoominfo.com/CachedPage/?archive_id=0&page_id=549942874&page_url=//www.theolympian.com/home/news/20031216/frontpage/2045.shtml&page_last_updated=12/17/2003+1:13:09+PM&firstName=Randall&lastName=Rappe|title= Gregoire leads money race|accessdate=December 16, 2003|author=Brad Shannon|date=December 16, 2003|publisher=The Olympian}}</ref> Furthermore, the previous two GOP candidates for governor had lost their campaign bids by 16% and 18.7% in 1996 and 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/results_report.aspx?e=20,17&c=&c2=&t=264&t2=2&p=&p2=&y=|title= Washington State General Election Results, 1996, 2000|accessdate= |author= |date= |publisher= Office of Washington State Secretary of State }}</ref>


In the November 2 election, over 2.8 million votes were cast for Governor. After the initial vote count, Rossi led Democrat ] by 261 votes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002094147_gov18m.html|title=It's Rossi by 261; recount is next|accessdate=June 23, 2006|author=Seattle Times staff|date=November 18, 2004|publisher=The Seattle Times}}</ref> Washington State law required a recount because of the small margin. After the second count, Rossi again led, but by a smaller margin of 42 votes. After a third count, done by hand, Gregoire took a 129 vote lead (expanded to a 133 vote lead after Justice Bridges' decision threw out 4 votes for Rossi). In the November 2 election, over 2.8 million votes were cast for Governor. After the initial vote count, Rossi led Democrat ] by 261 votes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002094147_gov18m.html|title=It's Rossi by 261; recount is next|accessdate=June 23, 2006|author=Seattle Times staff|date=November 18, 2004|publisher=The Seattle Times}}</ref> Washington State law required a recount because of the small margin. After the second count, Rossi again led, but by a smaller margin of 42 votes. After a third count, done by hand, Gregoire took a 129 vote lead (expanded to a 133 vote lead after Justice Bridges' decision threw out 4 votes for Rossi). <ref name="nwsource1">{{cite web|last=Thomas |first=Ralph |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008075525_rossirecap.html |title=Governor's Race &#124; Dino Rossi's four years of political exile &#124; Seattle Times Newspaper |publisher=Seattletimes.nwsource.com |date= |accessdate=2010-06-15}}</ref>


King County's election department was sued by the Rossi campaign for its handling of ballots, including untracked use of a "ballot-on-demand" printing machine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=logan26m&date=20050426|title= More mistakes revealed in ballot counting |accessdate=May 8, 2007|author=Seattle Times staff|date=April 26, 2005|publisher=The Seattle Times}}</ref> Even before the election date, the U.S. Department of Justice threatened to sue Washington State for failing to mail military ballots overseas, generally assumed to be Republican votes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=military10m&date=20050110|title= Feds threatened suit over military ballots|accessdate=May 8, 2007|author=Seattle Times staff|date=January 10, 2005|publisher=The Seattle Times}}</ref> King County's election department was sued by the Rossi campaign for its handling of ballots, including untracked use of a "ballot-on-demand" printing machine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=logan26m&date=20050426|title= More mistakes revealed in ballot counting |accessdate=May 8, 2007|author=Seattle Times staff|date=April 26, 2005|publisher=The Seattle Times}}</ref> Even before the election date, the U.S. Department of Justice threatened to sue Washington State for failing to mail military ballots overseas, generally assumed to be Republican votes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=military10m&date=20050110|title= Feds threatened suit over military ballots|accessdate=May 8, 2007|author=Seattle Times staff|date=January 10, 2005|publisher=The Seattle Times}}</ref>
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Republican leaders in Washington claimed there were enough disputed votes to change the outcome of the election and sued. On May 25, 2005 the judge hearing the lawsuit ruled that the Party did not provide enough evidence that the disputed votes were ineligible, or for whom they were cast, to enable the court to overturn the election.<ref name=Bridgesverdict>{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2002319056_webverdict06.html|title=Rossi will not appeal election ruling|accessdate=June 23, 2006|author=Postman, David|date=June 6, 2005|publisher=The Seattle Times}}</ref> Republican leaders in Washington claimed there were enough disputed votes to change the outcome of the election and sued. On May 25, 2005 the judge hearing the lawsuit ruled that the Party did not provide enough evidence that the disputed votes were ineligible, or for whom they were cast, to enable the court to overturn the election.<ref name=Bridgesverdict>{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2002319056_webverdict06.html|title=Rossi will not appeal election ruling|accessdate=June 23, 2006|author=Postman, David|date=June 6, 2005|publisher=The Seattle Times}}</ref>


Rossi did not ] to the ];<ref name=wenworld2>{{cite web |url=http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050607/NEWS03/506070343 |title=Rossi won't take fight any further: Future could hold challenge |publisher=] |date=2005-06-07 |accessdate=2008-08-07}}</ref> Gregoire was declared governor, by a margin of 133 votes. Rossi did not ] to the ];<ref name=wenworld2>{{cite news |url=http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050607/NEWS03/506070343 |title=Rossi won't take fight any further: Future could hold challenge |agency=Associated Press |date=2005-06-07 |accessdate=2008-08-07}}</ref> Gregoire was declared governor, by a margin of 133 votes.<ref name="nwsource1"/>

⚫ === Between 2004 and 2008 ===


⚫ After the election and the ensuing court battle, Rossi returned to his work in real estate and wrote a book, ''Dino Rossi: Lessons in Leadership, Business, Politics and Life''.<ref name=After_election>{{cite news | url=http://www.kgw.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8D3MU8O1.html | title= In between campaigns, Rossi turns writer | publisher=KGW | author=David Ammons | date=2005-10-05 | accessdate=2007-07-17}}</ref><ref name=seatimes-exile>{{cite news |url=seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008075525_rossirecap.html | title=Dino Rossi's four years of political exile |author=Ralph Thomas |publisher=Seattle Times |date=2008-09-18 |accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref> Along with former Seattle Mariner baseball star Jay Buhner, he also purchased a minority share in the Seattle Mariners’ single A minor league baseball team, the Everett Aquasox.<ref name=aquasox>{{cite news | url= http://www.seattlepi.com/othersports/310980_aquasox10.html | title= Buhner, Rossi buy into Aquasox | agency=Associated Press | author=Greg Bell | date=2007-04-09 | accessdate=2010-01-02}}</ref> Rossi also established Forward Washington Foundation, ] a non-profit entity dedicated to promoting changes to Washington’s small business climate.<ref name=kitsapstump>{{cite news | url= http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2007/may/10/rossi-stumps-in-kitsap-151-for-budget/ | title= Rossi Stumps in Kitsap&nbsp;– for Budget Responsibility| publisher= The Kitsap Sun | author= Steven Gardner| date=2007-05-10 | accessdate=2010-01-02}}</ref> In 2007, the state Democratic Party filed a complaint with the Washington Public Disclosure Committee (PDC) asserting that the Forward Washington Foundation was too similar to a campaign to be exempt from ] laws.<ref name=fwfcomplaint>{{cite news | url= http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2007/jun/26/democrats-submit-complaint-over-rossis/ | title= Democrats Submit Complaint Over Rossi’s Foundation| agency= Associated Press | author= David Ammons| date=2007-06-26 | accessdate=2010-01-02}}</ref>
⚫ ===Between 2004 and 2008===
⚫ After the election and the ensuing court battle, Rossi returned to his work in real estate and wrote a book, ''Dino Rossi: Lessons in Leadership, Business, Politics and Life''.<ref name=After_election>{{cite news | url=http://www.kgw.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8D3MU8O1.html | title= In between campaigns, Rossi turns writer | publisher=KGW | author=David Ammons | date=2005-10-05 | accessdate=2007-07-17}}</ref><ref name=seatimes-exile>{{cite news |url=seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008075525_rossirecap.html | title=Dino Rossi's four years of political exile |author=Ralph Thomas |publisher=Seattle Times |date=2008-09-18 |accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref> Along with former Seattle Mariner baseball star Jay Buhner, he also purchased a minority share in the Seattle Mariners’ single A minor league baseball team, the Everett Aquasox.<ref name=aquasox>{{cite news | url= http://www.seattlepi.com/othersports/310980_aquasox10.html | title= Buhner, Rossi buy into Aquasox | publisher=Associated Press | author=Greg Bell | date=2007-04-09 | accessdate=2010-01-02}}</ref> Rossi also established Forward Washington Foundation, ] a non-profit entity dedicated to promoting changes to Washington’s small business climate.<ref name=kitsapstump>{{cite news | url= http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2007/may/10/rossi-stumps-in-kitsap-151-for-budget/ | title= Rossi Stumps in Kitsap – for Budget Responsibility| publisher= The Kitsap Sun | author= Steven Gardner| date=2007-05-10 | accessdate=2010-01-02}}</ref> In 2007, the state Democratic Party filed a complaint with the Washington Public Disclosure Committee (PDC) asserting that the Forward Washington Foundation was too similar to a campaign to be exempt from ] laws.<ref name=fwfcomplaint>{{cite news | url= http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2007/jun/26/democrats-submit-complaint-over-rossis/ | title= Democrats Submit Complaint Over Rossi’s Foundation| publisher= Associated Press | author= David Ammons| date=2007-06-26 | accessdate=2010-01-02}}</ref>
Prior to her party’s formal complaint, Gregoire was feverishly fundraising and theorizing that Rossi would challenge her again, stating to donors that he was “campaigning aggressively."<ref name=rossicircles>{{cite news | url= http://www.seattlepi.com/connelly/279233_joel28.html | title= Dino Rossi Circles over Gregoire’s head | publisher=The Seattle P-I | author=Joel Connelly | date=2006-07-26 | accessdate=2010-01-02}}</ref> Prior to her party’s formal complaint, Gregoire was feverishly fundraising and theorizing that Rossi would challenge her again, stating to donors that he was “campaigning aggressively."<ref name=rossicircles>{{cite news | url= http://www.seattlepi.com/connelly/279233_joel28.html | title= Dino Rossi Circles over Gregoire’s head | publisher=The Seattle P-I | author=Joel Connelly | date=2006-07-26 | accessdate=2010-01-02}}</ref>
The PDC dismissed in totality the allegations made by the Washington State Democrats, deeming each accusatory claim as “insufficient” and stating that the organization was indeed acting consistent with its mission statement, making it “a social welfare organization… and not a political committee”.<ref name=pdcletter>{{cite web | url= http://www.pdc.wa.gov/archive/commissionmeetings/meetingshearings/pdfs/2007/12.06.07.RossiMemoCase.08.001.pdf| title= Draft letter to Dwight Pelz, Chair of the Washington State Democrats| publisher= Washington State Public Disclosure Commission | date=2007-11-28 | accessdate=2010-01-02}}</ref> The PDC dismissed in totality the allegations made by the Washington State Democrats, deeming each accusatory claim as “insufficient” and stating that the organization was indeed acting consistent with its mission statement, making it “a social welfare organization... and not a political committee”.<ref name=pdcletter>{{cite web | url= http://www.pdc.wa.gov/archive/commissionmeetings/meetingshearings/pdfs/2007/12.06.07.RossiMemoCase.08.001.pdf| title= Draft letter to Dwight Pelz, Chair of the Washington State Democrats| publisher= Washington State Public Disclosure Commission | date=2007-11-28 | accessdate=2010-01-02}}</ref>


===2008 gubernatorial campaign=== === 2008 gubernatorial campaign ===
{{Main|Washington gubernatorial election, 2008}} {{Main|Washington gubernatorial election, 2008}}


On October 25, 2007, Dino Rossi announced his intention to seek the office of Governor of Washington in 2008. Rossi's campaign was centered on many of the same issues he ran under in the 2004 election, namely controlling the spending of the state's legislature, tax cuts, and improving the business environment within the state.<ref name=2008_Announcement>{{cite news | url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/337157_joel29.html | title=Gregoire's rematch with Rossi shapes up as a doozy | publisher=Seattle Post-Intelligencer | author=Joel Connelly | date=2007-10-28 | accessdate=2007-10-29}}</ref> On October 25, 2007, Dino Rossi announced his intention to seek the office of Governor of Washington in 2008. Rossi's campaign was centered on many of the same issues he ran under in the 2004 election, namely controlling the spending of the state's legislature, tax cuts, and improving the business environment within the state.<ref name=2008_Announcement>{{cite news | url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/337157_joel29.html | title=Gregoire's rematch with Rossi shapes up as a doozy | publisher=Seattle Post-Intelligencer | author=Joel Connelly | date=2007-10-28 | accessdate=2007-10-29}}</ref>


In 2004, Rossi was listed on the ballot as a Republican. In 2008, his affiliation was listed as "Prefers G.O.P. Party" as he had filed with the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/en/candidatefiling/Pages/Candidateswhohavefiled.aspx?officecodes=3001 |title=2008 General Candidates Who Have Filed |publisher=Washington State Secretary of State |accessdate=2008-09-26 }}</ref><ref name=seatimes-dinorepublican>{{ cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004470167_postmanblog11m.html |title=GOP: New brand, same old style |author=David Postman |work=The Seattle Times |date=2008-06-11 |accessdate=2008-08-24}}</ref><ref name=seatimes-dinorepublican2>{{cite news |url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_wa_governor_conventions.html |title=Wash. Republican gov candidate to skip convention |author=Curt Woodward |work=The Associated Press |date=2008-08-21 |accessdate=2008-08-24}}</ref><ref name=seatimes-dinorepublican3>{{cite news |url=http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/davidpostman/2008/06/fox_news_on_republicans_shying_away_from_party_brand.html |title=FOX News on Republicans shying away from party brand |author=David Postman |work=The Seattle Times |date=2008-06-23 |accessdate=2008-08-24}}</ref><ref name=columbian-dinorepublican>{{cite news |url=http://www.columbian.com/opinion/news/2008/08/08172008_Independents-are-loving-2008.cfm |title=Independents are loving 2008 |author=John Laird |work=The Columbian |date=2008-08-17 |accessdate=2008-08-24}}</ref> Washington law allows candidates to identify their party affiliation or preference in any way they please, provided that it is not profane.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=29A.32.032 |title=RCW 29A.32.032 Party preference. |publisher=Washington State Legislature |accessdate=2008-09-26}}</ref><ref name=AP-GOP>{{cite news |url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1134ap_washington_governor.html |title=Judge: 'GOP' for short is fine on Wash. ballot |publisher=] |date=2008-09-26 |accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref> In 2004, Rossi was listed on the ballot as a Republican. In 2008, his affiliation was listed as "Prefers G.O.P. Party" as he had filed with the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/en/candidatefiling/Pages/Candidateswhohavefiled.aspx?officecodes=3001 |title=2008 General Candidates Who Have Filed |publisher=Washington State Secretary of State |accessdate=2008-09-26 }}</ref><ref name=seatimes-dinorepublican>{{ cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004470167_postmanblog11m.html |title=GOP: New brand, same old style |author=David Postman |work=The Seattle Times |date=2008-06-11 |accessdate=2008-08-24}}</ref><ref name=seatimes-dinorepublican2>{{cite news |url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_wa_governor_conventions.html |title=Wash. Republican gov candidate to skip convention |author=Curt Woodward |agency=Associated Press |date=2008-08-21 |accessdate=2008-08-24}}</ref><ref name=seatimes-dinorepublican3>{{cite news |url=http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/davidpostman/2008/06/fox_news_on_republicans_shying_away_from_party_brand.html |title=FOX News on Republicans shying away from party brand |author=David Postman |work=The Seattle Times |date=2008-06-23 |accessdate=2008-08-24}}</ref><ref name=columbian-dinorepublican>{{cite news |url=http://www.columbian.com/opinion/news/2008/08/08172008_Independents-are-loving-2008.cfm |title=Independents are loving 2008 |author=John Laird |work=The Columbian |date=2008-08-17 |accessdate=2008-08-24}}</ref> Washington law allows candidates to identify their party affiliation or preference in any way they please, provided that it is not profane.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=29A.32.032 |title=RCW 29A.32.032 Party preference. |publisher=Washington State Legislature |accessdate=2008-09-26}}</ref><ref name=AP-GOP>{{cite news |url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1134ap_washington_governor.html |title=Judge: 'GOP' for short is fine on Wash. ballot |publisher=Seattle Times |date=2008-09-26 |accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref>


Rossi has said pharmacists should not be required to dispense a drug that is against their conscience or religious beliefs when asked about ] oral contraceptive.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004017470_postmanblog16m.html | title=Rossi backs druggists' choice on Plan B | author=David Postman | publisher=The Seattle Times | date=2007-11-16 | accessdate=2007-11-21}}</ref> Following a ruling by the State Supreme Court that an initiative that limited property tax increases to 1% a year was unconstitutional, Rossi urged Governor Gregoire to call a ] of the State's legislature to re-instate the restriction.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_wa_property_taxes.html | title=WA gov: Quickie 747 session won't be '3-ring circus' | publisher=Seattle Post-Intelligencer | author=David Ammons | date=2007-11-20 | accessdate=2007-11-21}}</ref> As of September 2008, the Rossi campaign was reported to have raised $9 million while the Gregoire campaign took in $10 million overall.<ref name=seatimes-connelly-fundraising>{{cite news |url=http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/150091.asp |title=Gregoire tops $10 million |author=Joel Connelly |date=2008-09-30 |publisher=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref> A poll in early October showed Rossi tied with Governor Gregoire in the race for Governor.<ref name=seatimes-poll>{{cite news |url=http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/150477.asp |title=Wash gov. poll: Chris and Dino tied |author=Joel Connelly |date=2008-10-03 |publisher=The Seattle Post-Intelligencer |accessdate=2008-10-09}}</ref> A later poll by the Elway Group showed Rossi trailing Gov. Gregoire by 12 percent.<ref name=seatimes-elwaypoll>{{cite news |url=http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/152313.asp |title=Washington state pollapalooze |publisher=The Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=2008-10-23 |accessdate=2008-10-25 |author=Chris Grygiel}}</ref><ref name=seatimes-elwaypoll2>{{cite web |url=http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/152135.asp |title=Poll:Gregoire leads Rossi 51-39 |publisher=The Seattle Post-Intelligencer |author=Chris Gygiel |date=2008-10-23 |accessdate=2008-10-24}}</ref><ref name=seatimes-elwaypoll3>{{cite news |url=http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/145212.asp |title=Gregoire Up in Elway Poll |author=Joel Connelly |publisher=The Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=2008-10-23 |accessdate=2008-10-25}}</ref> Rossi has said pharmacists should not be required to dispense a drug that is against their conscience or religious beliefs when asked about ] oral contraceptive.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004017470_postmanblog16m.html | title=Rossi backs druggists' choice on Plan B | author=David Postman | publisher=The Seattle Times | date=2007-11-16 | accessdate=2007-11-21}}</ref> Following a ruling by the State Supreme Court that an initiative that limited property tax increases to 1% a year was unconstitutional, Rossi urged Governor Gregoire to call a ] of the State's legislature to re-instate the restriction.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_wa_property_taxes.html | title=WA gov: Quickie 747 session won't be '3-ring circus' | publisher=Seattle Post-Intelligencer | author=David Ammons | date=2007-11-20 | accessdate=2007-11-21}}</ref> As of September 2008, the Rossi campaign was reported to have raised $9 million while the Gregoire campaign took in $10 million overall.<ref name=seatimes-connelly-fundraising>{{cite news |url=http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/150091.asp |title=Gregoire tops $10 million |author=Joel Connelly |date=2008-09-30 |publisher=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref> A poll in early October showed Rossi tied with Governor Gregoire in the race for Governor.<ref name=seatimes-poll>{{cite news |url=http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/150477.asp |title=Wash gov. poll: Chris and Dino tied |author=Joel Connelly |date=2008-10-03 |publisher=The Seattle Post-Intelligencer |accessdate=2008-10-09}}</ref> A later poll by the Elway Group showed Rossi trailing Gov. Gregoire by 12 percent.<ref name=seatimes-elwaypoll>{{cite news |url=http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/152313.asp |title=Washington state pollapalooze |publisher=The Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=2008-10-23 |accessdate=2008-10-25 |author=Chris Grygiel}}</ref><ref name=seatimes-elwaypoll2>{{cite web |url=http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/152135.asp |title=Poll:Gregoire leads Rossi 51-39 |publisher=The Seattle Post-Intelligencer |author=Chris Gygiel |date=2008-10-23 |accessdate=2008-10-24}}</ref><ref name=seatimes-elwaypoll3>{{cite news |url=http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattlepolitics/archives/145212.asp |title=Gregoire Up in Elway Poll |author=Joel Connelly |publisher=The Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=2008-10-23 |accessdate=2008-10-25}}</ref>


On October 7, a lawsuit was filed against the ], for allegedly coordinating fundraising activities with Rossi in violation of Washington's public finance laws. Rossi's campaign spokeswoman dismissed the suit as a desperate attempt by Gregoire's supporters to win an election through frivolous legal maneuvering, a claim that was denied by the lawyer that filed the suit.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/382082_rossi07.html | title=Lawsuit targets Rossi's relationship with builders | work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer | author=McGann, Chris | date=2008-10-07 | accessdate=2009-02-10 }}</ref> Rossi was endorsed on October 18, 2008 by '']''.<ref>{{ cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2008279880_edit19rossiendorse.html |title=The Times recommends Dino Rossi for governor |author= |work=The Seattle Times |date=2008-10-18 |accessdate=2008-10-18}}</ref> On October 7, a lawsuit was filed against the ], for allegedly coordinating fundraising activities with Rossi in violation of Washington's public finance laws. Rossi's campaign spokeswoman dismissed the suit as a desperate attempt by Gregoire's supporters to win an election through frivolous legal maneuvering, a claim that was denied by the lawyer that filed the suit.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/382082_rossi07.html | title=Lawsuit targets Rossi's relationship with builders | work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer | author=McGann, Chris | date=2008-10-07 | accessdate=2009-02-10 }}</ref> Rossi was endorsed on October 18, 2008 by '']''.<ref>{{ cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2008279880_edit19rossiendorse.html |title=The Times recommends Dino Rossi for governor |author= |work=The Seattle Times |date=2008-10-18 |accessdate=2008-10-18}}</ref>


Dino Rossi was defeated by Governor Christine Gregoire in the 2008 election and formally conceded at noon on November 5, 2008.<ref name=rossi-defeat>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008354769_webguvrace05m.html |title=Rossi concedes defeat to Gregoire |publisher=The Seattle Times |author=Andrew Garber |date=2008-11-05 |accessdate=2008-11-05}}</ref> Her margin of victory was 53.2% to 46.8%.<ref></ref> Dino Rossi was defeated by Governor Christine Gregoire in the 2008 election and formally conceded at noon on November 5, 2008.<ref name=rossi-defeat>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008354769_webguvrace05m.html |title=Rossi concedes defeat to Gregoire |publisher=The Seattle Times |author=Andrew Garber |date=2008-11-05 |accessdate=2008-11-05}}</ref> Her margin of victory was 53.2% to 46.8%.<ref>{{cite web|last=Oldham |first=Kit |url=http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=8896 |title=historylink.org |publisher=historylink.org |date=2009-01-21 |accessdate=2010-06-15}}</ref>


=== Between 2008 and 2010 === === Between 2008 and 2010 ===
Following his defeat in the 2008 gubernatorial election, Rossi "unplugged from almost everything political" and became a principal at a ] firm called Coast Equity Partners in ]. Rossi's role at the firm is to find investors for income producing properties in Washington and four other ] states.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009166324_apwarossijob.html | title=Dino Rossi, 2-time gubernatorial candidate, has a new job | work=The Seattle Times | date=May 3, 2009| accessdate=May 4, 2009}}</ref> Following his defeat in the 2008 gubernatorial election, Rossi "unplugged from almost everything political" and became a principal at a ] firm called Coast Equity Partners in ]. Rossi's role at the firm is to find investors for income producing properties in Washington and four other ] states.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009166324_apwarossijob.html | title=Dino Rossi, 2-time gubernatorial candidate, has a new job | work=The Seattle Times | date=May 3, 2009| accessdate=May 4, 2009}}</ref>


===2010 U.S. Senate campaign=== === 2010 U.S. Senate campaign ===
{{Main|United States Senate election in Washington, 2010}} {{Main|United States Senate election in Washington, 2010}}


On May 26, 2010, he officially announced his candidacy run.<ref name="publicola.net"/> Aggregate polling only up to April 2010 indicates that Rossi is competitive with Murray.<ref>http://crosscut.com/blog/crosscut/19467/</ref><ref>http://bradyforillinois.com/2010/01/22/profile-illinois-state-sen-bill-brady-runs-for-the-gop-nomination-for-governor/</ref><ref>http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/edcetera/2010926833_dino_rossi_and_the_scott_brown.html?prmid=op_ed</ref><ref name="realclearpolitics.blogs.time.com">http://realclearpolitics.blogs.time.com/2010/04/24/surveyusa-poll-washington-senate/</ref> On May 26, 2010, he officially announced his candidacy run.<ref name="publicola.net"/> Aggregate polling only up to April 2010 indicates that Rossi is competitive with Murray.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brewster |first=David |url=http://crosscut.com/blog/crosscut/19467/ |title=Dino Rossi edges closer to challenging Sen. Patty Murray |publisher=Crosscut.com |date=2010-04-24 |accessdate=2010-06-15}}</ref><ref>{{dead link|date=June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/edcetera/2010926833_dino_rossi_and_the_scott_brown.html?prmid=op_ed |title=Ed cetera &#124; Dino Rossi and the Scott Brown effect in Washington &#124; Seattle Times Newspaper |publisher=Seattletimes.nwsource.com |date=2010-01-29 |accessdate=2010-06-15}}</ref><ref name="realclearpolitics.blogs.time.com">{{cite web|url=http://realclearpolitics.blogs.time.com/2010/04/24/surveyusa-poll-washington-senate/ |title=Bad Polling News For Murray | work = Real Clear Politics | publisher = TIME.com |date=2010-04-24 |accessdate=2010-06-15}}</ref>


===Electoral history=== === Electoral history ===
{{Election box begin | title=September 1992 State Senator District #5 Primary}} {{Election box begin | title=September 1992 State Senator District #5 Primary}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|| {{Election box candidate with party link||

Revision as of 13:42, 15 June 2010

Dino Rossi
Member of the Washington Senate
from the 5th district
In office
1997–2003
Preceded byKathleen Drew
Succeeded byCheryl Pflug
Chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee
In office
2003–2003
Personal details
Born (1959-10-15) October 15, 1959 (age 65)
Seattle, Washington
Nationality United States
Political partyRepublican
SpouseTerry
ChildrenTwo sons and two daughters
ResidenceSammamish, Washington
Alma materSeattle University (B.A.)
OccupationReal estate salesman
Websitehttp://www.dinorossi.com

Dino Rossi (born October 15, 1959) is an American real estate salesman, twice unsuccessful Republican candidate for Governor of Washington, and former Washington State Senator. In the 2004 election that would become the closest gubernatorial race in United States history, Rossi was certified as governor-elect before losing a second hand recount to Democrat Christine Gregoire. He also ran for Governor of Washington in 2008, losing to Gregoire 47% to 53%. In 2010, Rossi became a candidate for the United States Senate.

Rossi began his professional career in the commercial real estate industry, and continued to invest in and manage income properties throughout his formal political career. After the 2008 election, Rossi returned to commercial real estate industry full-time.

During the spring of 2010 there was speculation that Rossi might enter the 2010 Senate race to challenge incumbent Patty Murray. Rossi entered the race on May 26, 2010.

Personal life

Rossi is the son of John Rossi, an Italian-American Seattle Public Schools teacher at Viewlands Elementary in North Seattle, and Eve Mkclusky, a beautician. Dino is the youngest of seven children raised by John and Eve.

Rossi was raised in Mountlake Terrace and graduated from Woodway High School in Edmonds. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Seattle University in 1982. He is married, with four children, and lives in Sammamish, Washington.

Business life

After college he began in the commercial real estate business. He became a commercial real estate salesman, managing and owning real estate. Rossi was formerly an owner of the Everett Aquasox minor league baseball team.

Dino Rossi is co-founder of the Bellevue, Washington-based Eastside Commercial Bank.

Political positions

Spending earmarks

Rossi has said he will not use earmarks if elected as a United States senator from Washington.

Political history

State Senate tenure

In 1992, Rossi ran for a Washington State Senate seat in a district representing suburbs east of Seattle, Washington in the Cascade foothills. After winning a divisive Republican Party primary, he lost the general election. In 1996, Rossi ran again for the State Senate and was elected.

Rossi served in the Washington State Senate from 1997 until December 2003, when he resigned to spend full time running for governor. During his time as senator, he gained a reputation for being a political consensus builder with a proven ability to build bipartisan coalitions. When the Senate Republicans gained the majority in 2002, Rossi became chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee that writes the state’s two year operating budget. It was in this position that Rossi was widely credited for closing a $2.7 billion budget deficit without raising taxes. He passed this budget with bipartisan support, gaining praise from members of both parties, including the ranking Democrat on the budget committee. The budget chief for Democratic Governor Gary Locke said of Rossi in 2003, “The really good legislators move from one side to the other really effortlessly, and I think Dino did that.”

Rossi sponsored a number of bills as a state senator prior to his role as chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, including the “Two Strikes” bill that puts child molesters away for life after a second conviction. In 1998, he sponsored the “Mary Johnsen Act,” named for a Sammamish resident who was killed by a drunk driver. The bill required ignition interlock devices for certain convicted drunk drivers in the state of Washington. Rossi received the national finalist award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his work. He also sponsored the “Dane Rempfer bill” that boosted penalties for those who left the scene of a fatal accident, named after a 15 year old boy from his district who was killed in a hit-and-run. It was his work on the 2003 budget that spurred others to recruit Rossi to run for governor.

2004 gubernatorial campaign

Main article: Washington gubernatorial election, 2004

Rossi decided to run in November 2003, but was already facing an uphill battle in terms of money raised, low name identification with voters and trends established by the two prior GOP candidates for governor. The sitting Washington State Attorney General and Rossi’s eventual opponent in the general election, Christine Gregoire, had already raised $1.15 million by December, only weeks after Rossi officially kicked off his campaign. Furthermore, the previous two GOP candidates for governor had lost their campaign bids by 16% and 18.7% in 1996 and 2000.

In the November 2 election, over 2.8 million votes were cast for Governor. After the initial vote count, Rossi led Democrat Christine Gregoire by 261 votes. Washington State law required a recount because of the small margin. After the second count, Rossi again led, but by a smaller margin of 42 votes. After a third count, done by hand, Gregoire took a 129 vote lead (expanded to a 133 vote lead after Justice Bridges' decision threw out 4 votes for Rossi).

King County's election department was sued by the Rossi campaign for its handling of ballots, including untracked use of a "ballot-on-demand" printing machine. Even before the election date, the U.S. Department of Justice threatened to sue Washington State for failing to mail military ballots overseas, generally assumed to be Republican votes.

Republican leaders in Washington claimed there were enough disputed votes to change the outcome of the election and sued. On May 25, 2005 the judge hearing the lawsuit ruled that the Party did not provide enough evidence that the disputed votes were ineligible, or for whom they were cast, to enable the court to overturn the election.

Rossi did not appeal to the state Supreme Court; Gregoire was declared governor, by a margin of 133 votes.

Between 2004 and 2008

After the election and the ensuing court battle, Rossi returned to his work in real estate and wrote a book, Dino Rossi: Lessons in Leadership, Business, Politics and Life. Along with former Seattle Mariner baseball star Jay Buhner, he also purchased a minority share in the Seattle Mariners’ single A minor league baseball team, the Everett Aquasox. Rossi also established Forward Washington Foundation, 501(c)(4) a non-profit entity dedicated to promoting changes to Washington’s small business climate. In 2007, the state Democratic Party filed a complaint with the Washington Public Disclosure Committee (PDC) asserting that the Forward Washington Foundation was too similar to a campaign to be exempt from campaign finance laws. Prior to her party’s formal complaint, Gregoire was feverishly fundraising and theorizing that Rossi would challenge her again, stating to donors that he was “campaigning aggressively." The PDC dismissed in totality the allegations made by the Washington State Democrats, deeming each accusatory claim as “insufficient” and stating that the organization was indeed acting consistent with its mission statement, making it “a social welfare organization... and not a political committee”.

2008 gubernatorial campaign

Main article: Washington gubernatorial election, 2008

On October 25, 2007, Dino Rossi announced his intention to seek the office of Governor of Washington in 2008. Rossi's campaign was centered on many of the same issues he ran under in the 2004 election, namely controlling the spending of the state's legislature, tax cuts, and improving the business environment within the state.

In 2004, Rossi was listed on the ballot as a Republican. In 2008, his affiliation was listed as "Prefers G.O.P. Party" as he had filed with the Washington Secretary of State. Washington law allows candidates to identify their party affiliation or preference in any way they please, provided that it is not profane.

Rossi has said pharmacists should not be required to dispense a drug that is against their conscience or religious beliefs when asked about Plan B oral contraceptive. Following a ruling by the State Supreme Court that an initiative that limited property tax increases to 1% a year was unconstitutional, Rossi urged Governor Gregoire to call a special session of the State's legislature to re-instate the restriction. As of September 2008, the Rossi campaign was reported to have raised $9 million while the Gregoire campaign took in $10 million overall. A poll in early October showed Rossi tied with Governor Gregoire in the race for Governor. A later poll by the Elway Group showed Rossi trailing Gov. Gregoire by 12 percent.

On October 7, a lawsuit was filed against the Building Industry Association of Washington, for allegedly coordinating fundraising activities with Rossi in violation of Washington's public finance laws. Rossi's campaign spokeswoman dismissed the suit as a desperate attempt by Gregoire's supporters to win an election through frivolous legal maneuvering, a claim that was denied by the lawyer that filed the suit. Rossi was endorsed on October 18, 2008 by The Seattle Times.

Dino Rossi was defeated by Governor Christine Gregoire in the 2008 election and formally conceded at noon on November 5, 2008. Her margin of victory was 53.2% to 46.8%.

Between 2008 and 2010

Following his defeat in the 2008 gubernatorial election, Rossi "unplugged from almost everything political" and became a principal at a commercial real estate firm called Coast Equity Partners in Everett, Washington. Rossi's role at the firm is to find investors for income producing properties in Washington and four other Western U.S. states.

2010 U.S. Senate campaign

Main article: United States Senate election in Washington, 2010

On May 26, 2010, he officially announced his candidacy run. Aggregate polling only up to April 2010 indicates that Rossi is competitive with Murray.

Electoral history

September 1992 State Senator District #5 Primary
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Kathleen Drew 8598 36.21
Republican Dino J. Rossi 6563 24.64
Republican Dick Welsh 3215 13.54
Republican Bob Brady 2788 11.74
Republican Gwenn Escher 2581 10.87
November 1992 State Senator District #5 General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Kathleen Drew 26042 52.10
Republican Dino J. Rossi 23942 47.90
September 1996 State Senator District #5 Primary
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Kathleen Drew 10331 40.16
Republican Dino J. Rossi 8291 32.33
Republican Dave Irons 7100 27.60
November 1996 State Senator District #5 General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dino Rossi 28286 53.20
Democratic Kathleen Drew 24882 46.80
September 2000 State Senator District #5 Primary
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dino Rossi 20318 77.93
Democratic Azziem Hassan Underwood 5754 22.07
September 2000 State Senator District #5 General
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dino Rossi 40460 69.58
Democratic Azziem Hassan Underwood 17686 30.42
2004 Washington state gubernatorial election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Christine Gregoire 1,373,361 48.8730
Republican Dino Rossi 1,373,232 48.8717
2008 Washington state gubernatorial election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Christine Gregoire 1,598,738 53.24
Republican Dino Rossi 1,404,124 46.76

References

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