primary election endorsements
For the 812th consecutive election cycle not one single candidate has asked for my endorsement. Apparently they have all had the good sense to look at the record of my candidates during the past 811 elections. True Nelson Mandela won in 1994, but my successes have been a little scant in the decade since then.
Rules: I am making picks in all races where I have a vote. As this is a primary election and the rules in Washington State are that you have to pick either a Democratic, Republican or Libertarian ballot (other parties are officially non-existent), I am going to list my picks for each party with my commentary.
US Senator: Patty Murray (Dem) Patty has done a sound job and really responds to constituent's requests for help. She voted against the moronic decision to invade Iraq.
If you vote on the Republican ballot: William Edward Chovil. He looks sporty in his cowboy hat and he will be easy for Patty to defeat in November.
US Representative (7th District): Jim McDermott (Dem) Jim rocks. He speaks out intelligently on what matters and it works because he speaks to the spirit of his constituents.
I would recommend looking at the candidate that the Republicans are running in the 7th. Just when I thought that King County Republicans had no sense of humor, they managed to come up with the most comical candidate of the year. Assuming that she is a real person Carol Cassady is the kind of right-wing nut that would probably rise to the top levels of leadership in Washington DC these days. Someone should tell her that it is the Senate, not the House that votes on judicial nominees.
Governor: Ron Sims (Dem) Vote for Ron as many times as you can. I am so sick of the attitude that the Democrats should never run a progressive candidate state wide/ nation wide. As a result we land up with ultra-cautious moderates who never take a stand unless it looks popular in the polls. Why not run someone with vision, compassion and heart. Ron has all of these and will defeat the Republican candidate in November.
If you are doing a spoiler ballot, try John Aiken, Jr. (Rep) he looks to be the most defeatable Republican and any vote against Dino Rossi is a good thing. Rossi is not the moderate that he is trying to portray. He was responsible for blocking the mental health parity bill from reaching a vote in the State Senate. He lacks compassion and is beholden to his corporate sponsors. He is the single worst candidate on the ballot this year.
If you are voting Libertarian, vote for Ruth Bennett. She is the one candidate from this party that stands out
Lieutenant Governor: I cannot endorse anyone on the ballot. The incumbent Brad Owen (Dem) is a total doofus. He has at least expanded his platform beyond waging a personal War on Drugs. The best thing I can say is that keeping him busy at the office will keep him from his hobby as an "avid sportsman". Heaven help our State if this guy ever becomes Governor. As I will be voting on a Democratic ballot I plan to use my favorite write in candidate, Steve Pool the TV weatherman.
The Republicans in the race make a root canal sound like fun.
Jocelyn Langlois (Libertarian) wants to abolish the office, which sounds like the best thing on offer. I am not voting Libertarian in the primary, but will support her in November unless the Green Party comes up with a good candidate.
Attorney General: I was amazed to read the Stranger's endorsement of someone they used to call Satan and the worst thing imaginable (a Republican), Mark Sidran (Dem). Amazingly I find myself in agreement. Deborah Senn might be a good solid leftie, but she isn't really running a great campaign and Sidran has been more willing to speak out on liberal issues.
However you vote make sure you are aware that the likely Republican candidate in November is the truly evil King County Councilman Rob McKenna, so if you are voting R on the 14th cast your ballot for Mike Vaska who sounds like a good attorney and decent person.
Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Commissioner of Public Lands, Insurance Commissioner: These are almost all unopposed in all three parties. I see no reason to vote against the party picks. The one exception is that the Republicans have a gaggle of insurance salesmen who want to become Insurance Commissioner. I would have to go for Earl C. Dennis whose experience as a certified Stroke and Turn Judge for Pacific Northwest Swimming makes him an obvious choice.
State Senate and House: My Senator is not up for election this cycle and Reps are unopposed in the primary, so no comment here. Continuing the theme of a Republican Party with a sense of humor: the King County R's have found a couple of kids to run in November who are being very careful not to say too much.
Non-Partisan Races: (This is more like it, we get to vote for whoever we please)
Superintendent of Public Instruction: Judith Billings seems like the smartest candidate for a tough job. She did a great job when she used to hold this office and should do so again.
State Supreme Court (Position 1): Robert Alsdorf and Mary Kay Becker stand out, vote for either
State Supreme Court (Position 5): I am told by smart people that Terry Lukens is the best choice and he seems to be from all I read.
State Supreme Court (Position 6): James White looks to be the judge of choice to unseat the whacky incumbent Richard Sanders (who is vociferously anti-choice and anti-gay rights).
Court of Appeals (Division 1, District 1, Position 1): vote for incumbent Kenneth Grosse whose opponent seems to be motivated to run because Grosse spends time at his cabin in Leavenworth (apparently that Bavarian architecture really rubs some people the wrong way).
King County Superior Court (Position 13): Theresa Doyle is an excellent choice by all accounts
King County Superior Court (Position 23): Andrea Darvas seems like a solid civil libertarian
King County Superior Court (Position 42): Mark Mestel appears to be the best choice
King County Superior Court (Position 45): Jim Rogers seems like the best in this race
Finally but not Leastly:
Seattle Families and Education Levy (aka Proposition 1): Yes I think the goal of better education for underserved students cannot be criticized. I think the new school board can be trusted to do something positive with this levy and not go $50 Billion over budget (hopefully).
Vote everyone,
Nic
Rules: I am making picks in all races where I have a vote. As this is a primary election and the rules in Washington State are that you have to pick either a Democratic, Republican or Libertarian ballot (other parties are officially non-existent), I am going to list my picks for each party with my commentary.
US Senator: Patty Murray (Dem) Patty has done a sound job and really responds to constituent's requests for help. She voted against the moronic decision to invade Iraq.
If you vote on the Republican ballot: William Edward Chovil. He looks sporty in his cowboy hat and he will be easy for Patty to defeat in November.
US Representative (7th District): Jim McDermott (Dem) Jim rocks. He speaks out intelligently on what matters and it works because he speaks to the spirit of his constituents.
I would recommend looking at the candidate that the Republicans are running in the 7th. Just when I thought that King County Republicans had no sense of humor, they managed to come up with the most comical candidate of the year. Assuming that she is a real person Carol Cassady is the kind of right-wing nut that would probably rise to the top levels of leadership in Washington DC these days. Someone should tell her that it is the Senate, not the House that votes on judicial nominees.
Governor: Ron Sims (Dem) Vote for Ron as many times as you can. I am so sick of the attitude that the Democrats should never run a progressive candidate state wide/ nation wide. As a result we land up with ultra-cautious moderates who never take a stand unless it looks popular in the polls. Why not run someone with vision, compassion and heart. Ron has all of these and will defeat the Republican candidate in November.
If you are doing a spoiler ballot, try John Aiken, Jr. (Rep) he looks to be the most defeatable Republican and any vote against Dino Rossi is a good thing. Rossi is not the moderate that he is trying to portray. He was responsible for blocking the mental health parity bill from reaching a vote in the State Senate. He lacks compassion and is beholden to his corporate sponsors. He is the single worst candidate on the ballot this year.
If you are voting Libertarian, vote for Ruth Bennett. She is the one candidate from this party that stands out
Lieutenant Governor: I cannot endorse anyone on the ballot. The incumbent Brad Owen (Dem) is a total doofus. He has at least expanded his platform beyond waging a personal War on Drugs. The best thing I can say is that keeping him busy at the office will keep him from his hobby as an "avid sportsman". Heaven help our State if this guy ever becomes Governor. As I will be voting on a Democratic ballot I plan to use my favorite write in candidate, Steve Pool the TV weatherman.
The Republicans in the race make a root canal sound like fun.
Jocelyn Langlois (Libertarian) wants to abolish the office, which sounds like the best thing on offer. I am not voting Libertarian in the primary, but will support her in November unless the Green Party comes up with a good candidate.
Attorney General: I was amazed to read the Stranger's endorsement of someone they used to call Satan and the worst thing imaginable (a Republican), Mark Sidran (Dem). Amazingly I find myself in agreement. Deborah Senn might be a good solid leftie, but she isn't really running a great campaign and Sidran has been more willing to speak out on liberal issues.
However you vote make sure you are aware that the likely Republican candidate in November is the truly evil King County Councilman Rob McKenna, so if you are voting R on the 14th cast your ballot for Mike Vaska who sounds like a good attorney and decent person.
Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Commissioner of Public Lands, Insurance Commissioner: These are almost all unopposed in all three parties. I see no reason to vote against the party picks. The one exception is that the Republicans have a gaggle of insurance salesmen who want to become Insurance Commissioner. I would have to go for Earl C. Dennis whose experience as a certified Stroke and Turn Judge for Pacific Northwest Swimming makes him an obvious choice.
State Senate and House: My Senator is not up for election this cycle and Reps are unopposed in the primary, so no comment here. Continuing the theme of a Republican Party with a sense of humor: the King County R's have found a couple of kids to run in November who are being very careful not to say too much.
Non-Partisan Races: (This is more like it, we get to vote for whoever we please)
Superintendent of Public Instruction: Judith Billings seems like the smartest candidate for a tough job. She did a great job when she used to hold this office and should do so again.
State Supreme Court (Position 1): Robert Alsdorf and Mary Kay Becker stand out, vote for either
State Supreme Court (Position 5): I am told by smart people that Terry Lukens is the best choice and he seems to be from all I read.
State Supreme Court (Position 6): James White looks to be the judge of choice to unseat the whacky incumbent Richard Sanders (who is vociferously anti-choice and anti-gay rights).
Court of Appeals (Division 1, District 1, Position 1): vote for incumbent Kenneth Grosse whose opponent seems to be motivated to run because Grosse spends time at his cabin in Leavenworth (apparently that Bavarian architecture really rubs some people the wrong way).
King County Superior Court (Position 13): Theresa Doyle is an excellent choice by all accounts
King County Superior Court (Position 23): Andrea Darvas seems like a solid civil libertarian
King County Superior Court (Position 42): Mark Mestel appears to be the best choice
King County Superior Court (Position 45): Jim Rogers seems like the best in this race
Finally but not Leastly:
Seattle Families and Education Levy (aka Proposition 1): Yes I think the goal of better education for underserved students cannot be criticized. I think the new school board can be trusted to do something positive with this levy and not go $50 Billion over budget (hopefully).
Vote everyone,
Nic
posted by nic rossouw at
8:40 AM
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