POLITICAL BRIEFING

OPEN SEAT: Washington Gov. Booth Gardner is considering running for the Democratic nomination to replace Sen. Brock Adams, who dropped his reelection bid last week after publication of accusations from unnamed women who said he had sexually assaulted and harassed them. . . . Gardner is a popular political figure and, presumably, would be the front-runner in a robust Democratic field. Other contenders are former Rep. Mike Lowry, a Seattle liberal with a faithful following, and state legislator Patty Murray. . . . The Republican Party already had set its sights on Adams as a result of a previous accusation of sexual misconduct leveled by a young former aide. Many Republicans say the race now will be up for grabs. The leading contender for the Republican nomination is U.S. Rep. Rod Chandler of Seattle.