2007 PRIMARY ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS - NONPARTISAN (KING COUNTY)
Every year, the Northwest Progressive Institute teams with its Permanent Defense division to produce an endorsements guide for members and supporters.
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 biconceptuals 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 for the office they are seeking?
- What other endorsements or support does the candidate have?
With that introduction, here's our 2007 primary election endorsements guide for King County nonpartisan races.
Redmond Mayor: HOLLY PLACKETT
Our Statement: For the first time in over a dozen years, Redmond has an open contest for mayor, with no incumbent in the race. Three candidates are vying to succeed Redmond Mayor Rosemarie Ives - Holly Plackett, Jim Robinson, and John Marchione, all of whom have served on the city council for at least one term. (One candidate will be eliminated in the primary). Out the three, we believe Holly Plackett is the best choice to lead the city that NPI calls home. She was the most open and forthright in responding to our questions, and her record of community service is long and impressive. Besides a stint on the city council, she has chaired the Parks and Human Services Council Committee, the Planning Commission, served on the Association of Washington Cities Legislative Committee, and been involved with organizations such as Redmond's Family Resources Center and Eastside Transportation Choices. Holly is a proud Democrat and progressive who shares our values and treasures our community. We know we can count on Holly to preserve good programs and policies started by the current mayor Rosemarie Ives, such as the monthly "Breakfast with the Mayor", the annual Youth in Government Day and a focus on environmental protection. Holly will work to improve the mayor's relationship with the City Council, manage growth responsibly, and ensure that Sound Transit keeps its promise to extend light rail out to downtown as soon as funds are available. While neither Mr. Marchione nor Mr. Robinson are unqualified to be mayor, we believe that Holly is exceptional, and is the clear winner of our endorsement. We strongly urge all Redmond residents to vote for Holly on August 21st.
Other Endorsements: Notable endorsements include the 45th, 48th, and King County Democrats, the M.L. King, Jr. County Labor Council, former Redmond City Councilmembers Richard Grubb and Howard Harrison, King County Women’s Political Caucus, and progressive activists such as Randy Gordon, Debi Golden, and Nancy Rising. Holly also received an “Outstanding” Rating from the Municipal League (their highest rating).
Mercer Island City Council, Position #3: MAUREEN JUDGE
Our Statement: Mercer Islanders have an opportunity on August 21st to send a passionate, highly capable leader on to the general election in November. Maureen Judge is the undisputed standout in a field of otherwise lackluster candidates. With a background in business and a commitment to public service (she is is a member of the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce, and sits on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Starlight Children’s Foundation) Maureen is well prepared to guide the future of Mercer Island as part of its city council. In the coming years, the community will be dealing with light rail construction on Interstate 90, higher density, new development, and parking problems. Maureen is committed to meeting these issues head on. She firmly believes in funding public services (including first responders - police and fire) and providing transportation choices so pedestrians and cyclists are not constrained by roadways developed with only automobiles in mind. Mercer Island needs leaders like her who are consensus builders and listeners.
Other Endorsements: Notable endorsements include King County Executive Ron Sims, the Sierra Club, the Washington Conservation Voters, Progressive Majority, the King County Democrats, Darcy Burner, State Senator Brian Weinstein
State Representatives Judy Clibborn and Fred Jarrett, former Mercer Island Mayors Elliot Newman and Aubrey Davis.
Sammamish City Council, Position #4: NANCY WHITTEN
Our Statement: A first term incumbent, Nancy Whitten is running for a second term on the Sammamish City Council and has two opponents in the August 21st primary (John James and Scott Nazarino). Nancy has focused on her record in her campaign, pointing to numerous accomplishments over the last several years which she had a part in. These include the opening of the East Lake Sammamish Trail, the selection of a process for parks design, the development of new recreational facilitations, and the adoption of a plan for road improvements. In her next term on the council, Nancy wants to finalize the blueprint for the city's Town Center, find a way to solve the the lack of affordable housing, improve the stormwater drainage system, and provide more open space for city residents, especially lakefront access. We believe Nancy's experience and values set her apart from her opponents and we urge Sammamish residents to vote for her.
Other Endorsements: Notable endorsements include the Seattle Times, Cascade Bicycle Club
Other Races
Due to time constraints, we have not created statements and lists of other notable endorsements for endorsed candidates in the following races, but we urge you to support them.
Seattle City Council, Position #1: Jean Godden
Seattle City Council, Position #3: Bruce Harell
Seattle City Council, Position #9: Sally Clark
Auburn City Council, Position #7: Marjorie Lynn Norman
Burien City Council, Position #4: Stephen Lamphear
Duvall City Council, Position #6: Anne Laughlin
Federal Way City Council, Position #7: Hope Elder
Issaquah City Council, Position #4: Joshua Schaer
Medina City Council, Position #2: Shawn Whitney
Milton City Council, Position #4: Darlyne Sirack
Newcastle City Council, Position #4: Sonny Putter
Shoreline City Council, Position #4: Doris McConnell
Tukwila City Council, Position #2: De Sean Quinn
Woodinville City Council, Position #2: Randy Ransom
Woodinville City Council, Position #6: Liz Aspen
Seattle School Board, Position #2: Sherry Carr
Seattle School Board, Position #6: Steve Sundquist
© 2007 Northwest Progressive Institute.
