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Copyright © 2001 The Seattle Times Company
Local News : Sunday, September 30, 2001 'Candidate
Tapped for 30 Days of Active Duty'
Gina Kim,
Seattle Times staff reporter
Dave Schmidt reported for his National Guard duty at Camp Murray in Tacoma on Thursday thinking he was simply fulfilling his weekend-a-month commitment. But the Republican state representative and candidate for the Snohomish County Council soon learned he'd been called to active duty.
"I got called up right smack in the middle of a campaign," said Schmidt.
Schmidt, 47, will serve in Camp Murray 's security office, helping with the deployment of National Guard troops. Although he did not know yesterday if he'd be required to stay at the base seven days a week, he was packing to be away from home for his full 30-day assignment and possibly a 30-day extension. If his assignment is prolonged, Schmidt wouldn't be finished until after the Nov. 6 general election.
"It means I don't get to do the doorbelling that I'd like to do," said Schmidt, who hopes to make campaign calls outside his 12-hour shifts at Camp Murray . "But I think the voters will be understanding of that, as this is the biggest national crisis our country has ever faced."
Schmidt's opponent for the District 4 council seat, Mountlake Terrace Mayor Dave Gossett, said he respects Schmidt's commitment.
"From the campaigning perspective, I'm sure he would rather not have been called up," he said. "But like all of us, he realizes that this is a difficult time for our country, and as a Guard member, he's been called to do his duty."
But Gossett, 50, doesn't believe the assignment will affect the campaign.
"Were he to be called away to Georgia or something, that might have a significant impact," he said. "But he'll still be in the area."
Schmidt has served in the National Guard for 18 years. The only other time he's been called to active duty was in 1991, during the Persian Gulf War, when he spent three months at California 's Fort Irwin , helping prepare troops going to Saudi Arabia .
"When they ask you, you go. That's what we're there for," said Schmidt
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