Stefan details below how local Democratic party organizations seem to have bet on the wrong horses in a couple recent elections, especially the primary challenge to Sen. Tim Sheldon. A similar trend occurred in Snohomish County, where Steve Hobbs beat Lillian Kaufer to win the right to challenge Republican incumbent Dave Schmidt in the general election for the 44th Legislative District's Senate seat.

Sen. Sheldon's independence and periodic work with Republicans is well known, but the Hobbs v. Kaufer race is an interesting, though lower profile, example of a more moderate candidate trumping party structures. Kaufer was endorsed by the 44th District Democrats, and the Snohomish County Democrats as well. Kaufer made a local name for herself opposing a new Wal-Mart store, and received a goodly amount of favorable pixels in the liberal blogosphere (here, here, and here). Hobbs, meanwhile had lost a primary last year for Snohomish County Council to the more liberal, and now sitting Councilman, Dave Somers. In this year' race, Hobbs had the backing of more moderate supporters than Kaufer, including County Executive Aaron Reardon, former Governor Gary Locke, the Snohomish County Labor Council, and the Boeing Machinists. Yet, he beat his party's grassroots comfortably.

I doubt it's a reliable trend, certainly the battle of the liberals of the 43rd District primary speaks for itself, but it is intriguing. In Hobbs case, Jerry Cornfield notes his growth as a candidate from last year to this in today's Everett Herald. Cornfield also accurately notes Hobbs faces tough duty in attempting to topple Senator Schmidt, and I'd be lying if I said I wish Hobbs well in the general election since Schmidt is an effective, common sense, conservative voice in Olympia. But it is interesting to see another Democrat beat his own party's organizations in the primary.