Oregon Public Broadcasting

There was no raucous campaign rally. No feisty kick-off speech. No press conference.

Instead, former Washington State Senator Dino Rossi posted an online video Wednesday. He announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. The Republican is vying to take on veteran Democratic incumbent Patty Murray. Correspondent Austin Jenkins reports.

It was an anti-climatic end to months of rumor, speculation and political intrigue. In the five minute video, Rossi is at home in shirtsleeves, no tie. It's just him and the camera.

Rossi says he's running to unseat Murray because Democrats are -- in his words -- fundamentally rede fining America.

Dino Rossi: "You see over the past several months as I watch Congress pile more and more debt on top of our children and grandchildren. As I watch them ram through a partisan, ill-conceived healthcare bill, as I watch them pass new job-killing taxes and regulations, I knew I had to do something about it.  That's why I've made the decision to run for United States Senate." 

This is quite a turnaround from just two years ago. That's when Rossi all but retired from politics. It was after his second loss to Chris Gregoire for governor. Here's what he said then.

Dino Rossi: "You know, I have absolutely no intentions of running for any political office at this point at time. I'm going to go back into the business world."

Rossi did go back into commercial real estate.

In recent weeks, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has relentlessly attacked him for his business deals and associations.

Senator Murray used to run the DSCC. She laughs when I ask her if she'll call off her junk yard dogs.

Patty Murray: "There will be junk yard dogs on both sides. Having lived through several elections I have seen this before."

For her part, Murray won't even breathe Rossi's name.

Patty Murray: "I will let all of my opponents define where they're coming from. Where I come from is making sure is that I'm back here fighting for my families and people in Washington state to make sure we've got a great state far into the future."

Not only did Rossi do a virtual campaign kick-off. He refused all interview requests for a 24-hour blackout period.

University of Washington political scientist Matt Barreto thinks it's a clever strategy that keeps Rossi in the news on his terms. But Barreto says Rossi has challenges -- especially with a crowded Republican field.

Matt Barreto: "In the primary he's going to have to really get the Right on board, especially if the Tea Party plays a role in backing other candidates or not necessarily backing Rossi.  But that could jeopardize some of the independent support. The independent support here in Washington is very middle of the road."

Barreto released a poll this week that shows Rossi is a strong contender against Murray. But his support among independents is lagging.