Alex Alben - 2004 Congressional Campaign

2004 Congressional Campaign

Alben ran a centrist campaign, according to "September Primary A Necessary Vote," The Seattle Post Intelligencer, August 5, 2004, emphasizing his experience in the high tech world and his active participation in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and other issues affecting the software industry. Alben won the endorsement of the Seattle Times, the Seattle Post Intelligencer and the King County Journal. The Seattle Times, September 12, 2004, "The Times Endorses . . ." "In The Northwest: Finding 8th District front-runner is no Dunn deal," By Joel Connelly, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, August 23, 2004.

During the course of the campaign, Alben publicly criticized radio talk show host Dave Ross, for remaining on his daily radio program, "The Dave Ross" show while actively fund-raising and campaigning as a candidate for federal office. Alben claimed that Ross's activity violated federal campaign finance law, according to the New York Times, in an article published June 12, 2004.

Alben was one of three Democrats vying for the party's nomination (the other two being interior designer Heidi Behrens-Benedict and radio personality Dave Ross). Alben was endorsed for Congress by The Seattle Times, Seattle Post Intelligencer, King County Journal and numerous local organizations. Ross won the primary election held 14 September 2004, but then lost to the Republican nominee in the general election on 2 November 2004. Reichert won reelection in 2006 and a third term in 2008.