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West's public policy conflicts with private life
In an Internet chat room last New Year’s Eve where he discussed his recent date with an 18-year-old man, Spokane Mayor Jim West criticized the “sex Nazis” who try to regulate private sexual behavior.

For years, that’s exactly what West tried to do in Olympia.

Over two decades, West rose to power in the Washington Legislature with a carefully cultivated image as a fiscally conservative Republican opposed to gay rights, abortion rights and teenage sex.

His abrasive style and temper were legendary in Olympia. But even his opponents speak highly of his legislative and budgetary skills, which have made him one of the state’s most powerful politicians.

Because of his clout as the former Senate majority leader and his reputation for attacking his enemies, no one has publicly confronted West about any discrepancy between his private sexual behavior and his political stances, people in politics and in Spokane’s gay community have said.

While members of Spokane’s gay community said it’s widely rumored that West is a closeted gay man, they also said his sexual orientation is only an issue when his behavior intrudes on the legislative process and public policy.

Although West was married for five years in the 1990s and was seen with women during his legislative campaigns, it was whispered in Olympia that West dated and mentored young men.

“It’s the worst-kept secret in Washington politics,” said Christian Sinderman, a top Democratic political consultant....

...“Spokane wouldn’t have believed us” if her campaign had tried to bring up West’s sexual orientation, Dolan said.

“People wanted to believe that Jim represented family values,” Dolan added....