Sammamish business consultant Larry Ishmael, a Republican, has announced that he will run against Rep. Jay Inslee, the Democratic incumbent, in the 1st Congressional District.

"I have been listening to people complain about Congress and decided it was time to make a real difference," Ishmael said in a statement. "The 1st District needs better leadership; Congress needs better leadership."

Ishmael has been a member of the Issaquah School Board since 2003 and served as president from December 2004 to December 2005. Ishmael said he would push for changes in education if elected.

He is a business consultant for Suasor Consulting Group.

The Washington State Republican Party has endorsed Ishmael.

Tacoma

500-foot smokestack brought to ground

A piece of Northwest history crumbled Sunday morning when demolition crews toppled a 500-foot smokestack at Blair Waterway.

The smokestack was part of the former Kaiser Aluminum smelter plant that operated for roughly 58 years. Sunday's demolition is to make way for new development the Port of Tacoma plans at the 96-acre industrial site.

The original plant was built in 1942 and was operated by the Olin Co. The concrete and steel smokestack was built in 1968 during plant expansion. Kaiser bought the plant after World War II and curtailed production in 2000. The Port of Tacoma bought the site in December 2002.

On Sunday, demolition crews used dynamite at the base to tip the smokestack, which toppled like a fallen tree onto a dirt landing pad.

Times staff and news services

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