The more I look, the more strange things I keep finding about Kyle Taylor Lucas, who is posing a primary challenge to moderate Democrat State Senator Tim Sheldon in the 35th District.
Oddity #1) When Lucas had a speeding ticket earlier this year, she gave the court this excuse for late payment of the fine: "MOTHER SENT PYMT. TO WRONG ADDRESS - WAS SENT BACK TO HER". But a Lucas biography in a Kitsap Democrat newsletter says: Her mother died young, so Kyle was raised in foster homes. Hmmm.
Oddity #2) I reported earlier that Lucas started raising money for her campaign on April 11, 2006, only 11 days after claiming she moved into the 35th District ("because of my grandchildren"). In fact, it appears that she was already spending money on her campaign on April 5, only 5 days after supposedly moving into the district. I regret the error.
Oddity #3) There is a lingering question whether Lucas really lives in the 35th District. The house she is supposedly renting is owned by Rep. Kathy Haigh (D-35) [Haigh was reportedly the party's first choice to run against Sheldon, but she chose not to challenge him. Lucas was apparently the party's 4th choice]. But the Haighs apparently also use that home as a reception center. Dick Taylor, who is running for Mason County Commissioner, told me that the Haighs let him use that home for two different events in July and that guests were going in and out of the house to use the bathroom. Although he said that he thinks that Lucas was living at the home, he wasn't sure. The only basis for that belief was that her car was parked there at times. There was no sign of her during the events.
Oddity #4) Also as noted earlier, Lucas claimed to have moved out of the manufactured home she owns in Tumwater on March 31, the same day that she started a business at the Tumwater home (25 miles from her supposed new home in Shelton). But Joel Erlitz, owner/operator of the Western Plaza Mobile Home Community where Lucas' home is parked, says that Lucas is in violation of the community covenant -- residents may only use the community as a primary residence and may not operate a business there.
I have attempted to contact Lucas several times for comment. She has not returned my phone calls.
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at September 12, 2006 11:16 AM | Email ThisIts almost like the Stockholm Syndrome... or a political brand of domestic violence.
At a minimum, Tim should go Independent, like he did for his county commissioner race.
Meanwhile, the Senate Republican caucus is treating Lois McMahon the same way.
Ironic, isn't it?
Posted by: Me on September 12, 2006 11:30 AMShe has a mother that may or may not be dead, AND grandchildren? From the above, it would appear that accepting responsibilities is problematic for her.
Posted by: scott158 on September 12, 2006 11:34 AMEven w/out combining this with the 20 other oddities here- I can't imagine a way to explain this that doesn't point to nutty-town.
Posted by: Andy on September 12, 2006 11:52 AMShe must be a legal resident of the district in which she runs. This is in a very gray area. Can she be disqualified in some way?
Posted by: Bull Maxon on September 12, 2006 12:32 PMThe money is coming from The Progressive Majority.
Gloria Totten took the helm of Progressive Majority in May 2001. Prior to that, she served as Political Director for the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) since 1996.
http://www.progressivemajority.org/
Posted by: kitsap voter on September 12, 2006 02:03 PM