Editorial
Sign off, Dave

Dave Ross

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The popular KIRO Newsradio talk-show host announced Thursday he'll run for Congress in the 8th Congressional District. Ross will invigorate an already feisty race, but he should forgo his access to the public airways from 9 a.m. to noon, weekdays.

Ross said he intends to stay on air until candidates officially file for office with the Washington Secretary of State's office in July — filing is later in this state than in many others.

That might be the legal threshold triggering federal equal-opportunity rules, which require radio and TV stations to provide equal time for opponents of candidates who appear on air outside of newscasts. But Ross is already a serious contender and will be raising money.

At least one candidate, Democrat Alex Alben, is asking KIRO for equal time.

Ross' decision stretches the bounds of fairness and raises questions about KIRO Newsradio's credibility in coverage of the campaign, which has drawn seven candidates. The station's Web site Friday unabashedly heralded Ross' candidacy with headlines stating "Dave for Congress (1)" and "Dave for Congress (2)," and a prominent link to his campaign Web site.

Paul Berendt, chairman of the state Democratic Party, recruited Ross to run for Congress, despite two announced party candidates. Berendt figures the award-winning commentator's moderate bent, smart talk and name familiarity will fare better against the Republican frontrunner, King County Sheriff Dave Reichert.

Other media outlets have handled their personalities-turned-candidates with a stronger sense of fairness. When KVI talk-show host John Carlson announced he would run for governor in March 2000, he was off the air immediately and newspapers dropped his column.

When longtime Seattle Times columnist Jean Godden announced she was running for Seattle City Council in August, she resigned.

Ross is known to his listeners as head of the "East Lake Avenue Crusaders for Common Sense." He ought to reconsider his decision by applying a sense of fairness.