Sheriff arrives ahead of "THE BUS"

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The Snohomish County Sheriff, John Lovick, in one of the new Sheriff's department Black and White's, preceded "THE BUS" into Snohomish today.

John Lovick the newly elected Sheriff took his oath in January of this year leaving his seat in the 44th legislative district. The Sheriff stopped and spoke with Rep. Hans Dunshee who was also out to stump for Loomis. With cheers from the small group gathered to support Loomis, "THE BUS" pulled up to the 1910 Carnegie Library Building. "THE BUS" is a group that travels the state campaigning in support of Democratic canidates.

The Snohomish Tribune reported "THE BUS" would be arriving with about 70 people aboard but they only unloaded about 20 people. The Loomis group that was waiting hurried the new arrivals to the 1910 Carnegie Library Building for a quick meet and greet before heading out to the city streets.

As a former city councilwoman, Loomis fell out of favor with Snohomish residents in 2005 and lost her re-election bid, she's now trying to make a comeback against Mike Hope. The seat they are both trying to secure is for the 44th legislative district that stretches from Mill Creek to Marysville. Loomis runs a local PR firm, has strong ties to several local politicians and could herself be considered a professional politician.

Hope who also held a door belling rally today with local volunteers met in the parking lot of the ArchBishop Murphy High School. The group numbered around 45 at 10:45, they were expecting a few more to show up before they hit the streets. Hope said that they have hit about 15,000 houses to date and he plans on increasing that number every week until November. Mike Hope is a Seattle Police Officer and a small business owner in Monroe called Hopes Gym. Mike has served in the U.S. Marines and volunteers his time coaching High School athletics. Sarai Hope, Mike's wife, is an high school teacher and she also volunteers her time to coaching school athletics.

In two recent parades Hope marchers out numbered Loomis, first Klahaya Days parade where is was about 4:1 and then Lake Stevens Aquafest parade where it was about 6:1. The young people in this 2008 campaign are energized and are expected to make the difference.

The Snohomish Tribune also covered the Mike Hope doorbell rally today with a photographer from the Monroe Monitor as did the Mill Creek View, you could say that Hope was covered by four news outlets and its only August 2nd.

This will be the race to watch!