OLYMPIA -- Former Washington Governor Booth Gardner says he's still planning to lead a 2008 campaign for an assisted suicide initiative.

In his first interview since undergoing deep-brain surgeries for Parkinson's Disease, Gardner told The Associated Press Tuesday that he's recovering well.

The 70-year-old Gardner had the last of his two brain surgeries in July. He's since gone through a divorce, and moved to Tacoma, where he has a live-in caretaker.

The popular Democrat was Washington's governor from 1985 to 1993.

Gardner says his recovery is going well, and he's now ready to tackle education reform and the assisted death measure.

Oregon has a similar law, and Washington voters rejected a version in 1991. But Gardner says he's sure a new initiative would pass this time in Washington.

>> back to top

home | search | site guide | contact us | privacy policy