Kucinich is vulnerable to elimination in Ohio under this year’s round of redistricting. Kucinich might move left -- to Wash.

Dennis Kucinich’s flirtation with a congressional seat three time zones away has Democrats in Washington wondering whether the Ohio congressman is serious or just dangling another publicity stunt.

Campaigning for a seat in the Evergreen State next year while continuing to serve his constituents in Cleveland would be a stretch for any sitting member of Congress.


But the cable news-friendly, two-time presidential candidate has made a career out of unconventional moves. And his office’s statement touting “20 states, including Washington state” that have encouraged him to move and run has only heightened speculation about Kucinich’s next play. The Ohio district Kucinich has represented for eight terms is vulnerable to elimination under this year’s round of redistricting.

“As he has repeatedly said, he fully intends to remain in Congress; he just doesn’t know in what district he will run,” said Kucinich spokesman Nathan White.

Kucinich would not knock the possibility down to his hometown newspaper, telling the Cleveland Plain Dealer, “I’m not going to discuss anything that’s speculative.”

But if Kucinich is laying the groundwork for a bid 2,400 miles away from his district, top Washington state Democrats are unaware of it.

State Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz said he hasn’t heard directly from Kucinich or his allies, but noted the liberal hero’s penchant to seek headlines.

“This is the guy you all see at the State of the Union addresses. He’s always at the same spot, waiting for the president. Dennis Kucinich has a big ego, and he likes the spotlight. He’s been in the state twice and now he’s looking for a place to run for Congress? I would say it’s tremendously unusual,” Pelz said.

This past weekend, Kucinich held a fundraiser in Tacoma, made a stop in Bainbridge Island and led an immigration rally in Seattle, fueling reports he could be testing his appeal.

But Todd Iverson, a local progressive activist who has known Kucinich for almost a decade, told POLITICO that Kucinich only asked for help in putting together a fundraiser and never mentioned the prospect of running for a seat.

“I think he’s just seeing what kind of support he has. I think there’s a chance he could lose a seat, so he’s meeting with folks,” he said. “I’d be tickled pink if he did run, but it hasn’t happened too many times. I’d think he’d wait to until the lines were drawn to see if he’d be viable.”

Dean Foster, a longtime Washington Democratic player who sits on the state’s nonpartisan redistricting commission, said he has had no contact with the Kucinich camp. Rumors about Kucinich’s move were briefly discussed during a recent redistricting meeting with members of the congressional delegation, but Foster said, “They hadn’t heard anything about it.”

While Ohio is losing two seats as a result of reapportionment, Washington is gaining one. If Kucinich were to run, Washington Democrats say Rep. Jay Inslee’s 1st Congressional District, which covers Bainbridge Island, appears to be the most favorable terrain for a liberal who supports a single-payer health care system and has called for a complete withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. Inslee is expected to announce his intention to run for governor later this year.

The West Coast, particularly Washington and Southern California, has also served as a solid fundraising base for Kucinich during his presidential campaigns. And he has some familiarity with the area, having lived in Graham, Wash., decades ago.

Washington Rep. Jim McDermott, a liberal congressman from the Seattle area, gave Kucinich his blessing to run in Washington – and noted that he is not a native Washingtonian, either.

“I came from Chicago and now represent Seattle. If Dennis decides to run in Washington, I think it’s fine,” McDermott said.

Whether Kucinich’s current district will be redrawn or eliminated remains is still uncertain. If it is drawn out of existence, Kucinich could choose to run against either of two Democratic congresswomen who occupy nearby districts: Rep. Marcia Fudge and Rep. Betty Sutton. Either contest carries a risk.

But so does moving across the country.

One Washington Democratic activist said the only ones who would embrace a Kucinich candidacy are “the real lefty guys, but that’s not the majority of the folks.”

Nonetheless, the same Democrat said Kucinich’s most ardent supporters are “shopping the idea around.”

“I know there’s a lot of people in Washington that would love it, enough to put together a last-minute fundraiser,” said Iverson.

Alex Isenstadt contributed to this report.