SusanHutchisonFormer television news anchor and 2009 candidate for King County Executive Susan Hutchison has thrown her hat in the ring and is running to become the next chair of the Washington State Republican Party.

“I’m Susan Hutchison and I’m running for Washington State Republican Party Chair. I’ve reached this decision with the enthusiastic support of family, friends and party faithful,” Hutchison wrote in an email to state committee members sent Friday.

In the communication, Hutchison acknowledged she is an “underdog” in what is now a five-way race between interim-Chair Luanne Van Werven, Grays Harbor County state committeeman Jim Walsh, Clark County Republican Party operations director Christian Berrigan and Lloyd Becker, a precinct committee officer from Benton County, but outlined a strong set of skills that align with many of the criteria mentioned in chatter among the WSRP’s voting members for the choosing the next person to lead the state GOP.

“The upcoming election represents a new chance to grow and strengthen the Republican Party at a crucial time in our state and nation,” Hutchison wrote. “There is no time to lose! We need a Chair with superior skills in fundraising, communication, media, and elections.”

The WSRP state committee is scheduled to vote to elect its new permanent chair at their Aug 23-34 meeting in Spokane, Wash.

The full text of Hutchison’s entire announcement reads:

I’m Susan Hutchison and I’m running for Washington State Republican Party Chair.   I’ve reached this decision with the enthusiastic support of family, friends and party faithful.

The upcoming election represents a new chance to grow and strengthen the Republican Party at a crucial time in our state and nation.  There is no time to lose!  We need a Chair with superior skills in fundraising, communication, media, and elections.  Most of all, we need a Chair who will unite the party so that we can unite state voters to elect our candidates!

I am familiar with the Party at every level.  Even though I am not a member of the State Committee, I hope you will allow me to introduce myself and get to know you.  I’ll be calling each of you in the next few days and traveling across the state in the next two weeks to meet you face to face.

Because I am the underdog in this election, I will work harder than anyone to win your vote!  Thank you for your support and optimism for the future.  Together we can win!