2005 PRIMARY ENDORSEMENTS: DEMOCRATIC BALLOT
Every year, the Northwest Progressive Institute teams with its Permanent Defense division to produce an endorsements guide for members and supporters. While we encourage you to vote the Democratic ballot in the primary, we recognize that some Permanent Defense supporters are Republicans. We therefore strive to provide them with an endorsements guide for their party.
Among Democratic and nonpartisan candidates, we endorse candidates that we believe best reflect our progressive values. If we endorse Republicans, we look for candidates that are closest to our beliefs, giving the nod to moderates and rejecting extremists, while recognizing that such candidates may not share many of our values, vision, or ideals.
We ask three general questions when evaluating every candidate for endorsement:
- What are the candidate’s qualifications and why is he or she the best candidate?
- What is the candidate’s vision, plan, and agenda for the office they are seeking?
- What other endorsements or support does the candidate have?
With that introduction, let’s begin with the Democratic endorsement guide. Click here to jump to the nonpartisan section. Or, return to the 2005 Elections Center.
King County Executive: RON SIMS
Our Statement: As Ron’s Voter Pamphlet statement notes, he has led King County through some very difficult and tumultuous times. Ron Sims has a very strong leadership style. He is outspoken and works tirelessly for the causes he believes in. He believes in fiscal discipline and has steered King County through a minefield of revenue problems in previous years. Ron has shown he’s committed to progressive values: last year, he ran on a platform of tax reform, including the adoption of a state income tax, which we love to see. Ron has a solid agenda for the next four years: he wants to form a coalition to reclaim Puget Sound, tackle the problematic issue of accessible health care, and protect the environment while expanding transportation options. Ron’s leadership and stance on some issues, including the CAO and Southwest Airlines move, has been somewhat controversial, but a good leader is courageous and will create some controversy. Ron Sims is undoubtedly the only choice for Democrats this year.
Other Endorsements: Notable endorsements include the King County Labor Council, four local SEIUs, and dozens of other unions; Washington Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club, the King County Democrats, all the current Democratic County Council members (except Bob Ferguson), the executives of Pierce and Snohomish Counties, and dozens of state legislators. Ron also received an “Outstanding” Rating from the Municipal League (their highest rating).
King County Council District #1: CAROLYN EDMONDS
Our Statement: It's unfortunate that King County’s first council district has two exceptional Democrats pitted against each other in this primary race. It was tough to make a decision, but we finally made one. While we admire Bob Ferguson’s efforts to reach out to the grassroots with his campaign, extensive doorbelling, and his willingness to meet with constituents, we’re more impressed with Carolyn’s record on the Council and her plans for the next several years. Bob Ferguson’s statement in the Voters Pamphlet, we noted, was sketchy on Bob’s record and his plans for the future. For example, on transportation, we read: “Bob supports fast, reliable, and cost-effective solutions to gridlock. He rides the bus to work.” That’s it. On the other hand, Carolyn Edmonds stresses that she’s secured money for Highway 522, expanded park-and-ride lots, and fought for mass transit options. She says she is “working to improve roads, expand bus service, and is committed to providing real results for the north end [of King County]”. Carolyn has a good grasp of the issues and is a fighter for Democratic values. While Bob Ferguson is a great speaker and connects well with people (hence his win at the Democratic Party’s nominating convention), he doesn’t appear to have the depth of understanding that Carolyn Edmonds has on the council. Again, while Bob’s skills at reaching out to people and listening to their concerns are superb, he has not, in our view, made an effective case for actually replacing Carolyn Edmonds as a council member (that’s what would happen if he won). We wish Bob would run for an office that a Republican currently holds, because we think he’d have a great shot at winning. Since we’re forced to decide between two Democrats, we’ll go with Carolyn Edmonds, who has a good record, has represented her district well, and has a vision and a clear agenda for the next few years.
Other Endorsements: Notable endorsements include Senator Patty Murray, Congressman Jay Inslee, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, the Sierra Club, Washington Conservation Voters, King County Executive Ron Sims, dozens of state legislators, and several unions. Carolyn Edmonds received a “Very Good” rating from the Municipal League this year, the highest rating that any of the county council incumbents received.
King County Council District #2: LARRY GOSSETT
Our Statement: Larry Gossett is an outstanding, ten year veteran of the King County Council who is unopposed in the primary election. Larry has previously fought hard for inner-city neighborhoods, which largely comprised most of his old district. In his Voters’ Pamphlet statement, Larry acknowledged the impact of redistricting and stressed that he is looking forward to the challenge of representing more constituents. Larry Gossett has worked hard to maintain fiscal discipline while allowing the county to continue offering essential human services despite a reduction in revenues, partially from Tim Eyman initiatives. He chaired the King County Budget and Fiscal Management Committee, and has fought for many great to expand support for health and human service programs, (such as transitional housing) in an effort to reduce jail expenditures. This effort has been successful: King County has seen a reduction in crime. Its adult jail population has decreased by a fourth and its youth jail population by half. Larry has also been a proponent of affordable housing and environment protection.
Other Endorsements: Larry has been endorsed by the King County Democrats and received a “Very Good” rating from the Municipal League this year, the highest rating that any of the county council incumbents received.
King County Council District #3: NO ENDORSEMENT
Our Statement: There is no Democrat actively campaigning in the 3rd District for County Council, so we cannot make an endorsement in that race. Democratic voters are allowed to write in a candidate on their primary election ballot.
King County Council District #4: LARRY PHILLIPS
Our Statement: Larry Phillips is also unopposed in the primary election. His record speaks for itself: Larry has been a strong leader on the County Council. As Chair of the Council, Phillips has worked exceptionally hard to maintain fiscal discipline while trying to preserve public services at the same time. Larry Phillips has shown a strong focus on transportation reform. A Sound Transit supporter (something we like to see), Larry supports better transportation options. He’s also firmly against the effort to roll back the transportation package passed by the Legislature (I-912), which is excellent. He’s committed to progressive values and has been a fighter for other Democrats. He went to Ohio to work for the John Kerry campaign in the 2004 election. Larry is an outstanding representative for District #4.
Other Endorsements: Larry has been endorsed by the King County Democrats and received a “Very Good” rating from the Municipal League this year, the highest rating that any of the county council incumbents received.
King County Council District #5: JULIA PATTERSON
Our Statement: Julia Patterson is an experienced candidate who has done a lot of work in her community. She is unopposed in the primary election. She helped SeaTac become a city and served on its city council, and has also been a state senator. Patterson has been independent on the council, calling for an outside audit of the elections division, and has worked for more bipartisan cooperation. She supports health care for low income children, extending Sound Transit’s light rail to the airport, and better bus service in suburban areas.
Other Endorsements: Notable endorsements include the mayors of all five cities in the 5th District – Kent, Renton, Tukwila, Des Moines, and SeaTac, as well as the King County Democrats, King County Labor Council (plus numerous other unions), Sierra Club, Washington Conservation Voters, the Affordable Housing Council, and the Alki Foundation (a project of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce). Julia received a “Good” rating from the Municipal League this year.
King County Council District #6: NO ENDORSEMENT
Our Statement: There is no Democrat actively campaigning in the 6th District for County Council, so we cannot make an endorsement in that race. Democratic voters are allowed to write in a candidate on their primary election ballot.
King County Council District #7: GENI HAWKINS
Our Statement: Geni Hawkins is running unopposed on the Democratic primary ballot this year to go up against Republican incumbent Pete von Reichbauer in the general election. Geni’s priorities, if elected, will be addressing transportation, safeguarding clean water, tax fairness, balancing the needs of growth and environmental protection, public safety, and waste disposal. She has a strong background in technology, which she asserts will help the King County Council in its oversight of the elections division. She has some good experience and a well thought out plan laying out her vision and agenda for the office.
Other Endorsements:: Notable endorsements include the King County Democrats, several Democratic district organizations (within the 7th district), South King County Community Progress, and the Women’s Political Caucus of King County. Geni received a “Adequate” rating from the Municipal League this year.
King County Council District #8: DOW CONSTANTINE
Our Statement: Dow Constantine is running for reelection to the King County Council and is unopposed in the primary election. His priorities include efficient government, transportation solutions, common sense land use, and strong, safe neighborhoods. Dow has excellent understanding of his priorities and has a thoughtful vision and agenda for the future. His leadership on environmental protection has been especially appreciated. He has lived in West Seattle all his life, and is a superb representative for his district.
Other Endorsements: Notable endorsements include the King County Democrats, the Sierra Club, and the Washington Conservation Voters.
King County Council District #9: SHIRLEY A. GAUNT-SMITH
Our Statement: Shirley A. Gaunt-Smith is a first time candidate for public office. She brings a fresh perspective to the 9th District race. As a thirty five year resident of both rural and urban South King County, Shirley can identify with the challenges facing the voters of the 9th District. Although she doesn't have much political experience, her life experiences appear to have uniquely positioned her for public office. She had a thirty eight year career at Boeing which ended in 1995. In 2000, she returned to the University of Washington to earn a B.A. in International Studies, following that up with a Masters in Public Administration four years later. Listening to the needs of the community and environmental protection are her top priorities.
Other Endorsements: Notable endorsements include the King County Democrats. Shirley received a “Adequate” rating from the Municipal League this year.
© 2005 Northwest Progressive Institute.
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