Dino Rossi, former state senator and 2004 gubernatorial candidate, is scheduled to speak at the UW College Republicans meeting tonight at 7 p.m.

Rossi was a Washington state senator from 1996 to 2004.

He lost the 2004 gubernatorial election to Christine Gregoire in an extremely close and controversial election.

Rossi lead Gregoire at the end of the first count by 261 votes, but after a legal battle and a re-count, Gregoire was declared the winner by a margin of 129 votes.

Though an official announcement has not been made, many expect that Rossi will run again in 2008.

Dan Murdock, president of the College Republicans (CR), believes Rossi will use his visit to talk about his experience as a senator, what he’s been doing since the 2004 election (he now has a book out) and his vision for the future of Washington state.

Murdock said Rossi will speak and take questions from people at the meeting.

“Most politicians are happy to answer questions,” Murdock said.

This is the third politician College Republicans has hosted at its meetings this year.

Other politicians who have visited are 2006 Senate candidate Mike McGavick and congressman Dave Reichert.

Young Democrats of UW also hosted several politicians during elections in the fall, including Gov. Gregoire, Sen. Maria Cantwell, Sen. Patty Murray and congressman Jim McDermott.

Murdock hopes having big names such as Rossi and others speaking at UWCR meetings will spark interest and draw new members.

The meeting is in Smith 205 and will run until 8 p.m.

Reach reporter Shayla Miles at shaylamiles@thedaily.washington.edu.