Seattle mayoral candidate James Donaldson, the 7-foot-2 former Seattle SuperSonic player, has (somewhat inexplicably) been hovering in third place in the last two SurveyUSA polls (at 14 percent and 11 percent, respectively)—agonizingly close to the coveted second spot in November’s top-two showdown with (most likely) incumbent Greg Nickels.
Donaldson has never been involved in electoral politics, and even once joked in a P-I interview that he was entering politics as a way to deal with his mid-life crisis. According to the polls, Donaldson has received equitable support across the race, gender, and political spectrum. In other words, his numbers aren’t being propped up by any particular group.
So just who is supporting him? Endorsements listed on Donaldson’s website, which only just came online recently despite being in the race for months, shows an unusual bunch. Despite his relatively high polling numbers, Donaldson has not received the endorsement of any major political action groups or Democratic Legislative Districts, and the individuals who are backing him seem to fit into three major groups: former athletes (like Gary Payton, Michael Cage, and Lorenzo Romar), local Baptist church members, and Republican businessmen.
The latter group includes timber company CEO Jim Warjone, who gave over $2,500 to Republicans Dave Reichert and Gordon Smith in 2008 as well as $2,000 to George W. Bush (plus over $1000 each to local Democratic pork purveyors Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Norm Dicks); investment banker William Wurts ($750 to George W. Bush in 2004 and $350 to Dino Rossi in 2008); and Bradley Root ($335 to Rossi in ’08).
So the question remains: Is Donaldson, who has been working with a number of Democratic consultants and agreed on many of the issues with his fellow candidates at a recent forum, a closet Republican?
The campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Your analysis sucks. Just because someone who likes republicans likes him doesn’t mean he’s a republican. Seriously.
Another gratuitous byline name? I don’t like you.
Erica C. Barnett.
Jonah Sphaghetti-Lee
etc..
Is he a closet Republican?
Nope.
Shouldn’t you be asking that about a certain telecom CEO who is running instead?
Mallahan probably isn’t a republican, and he’s not a CEO (1 of 40 VPs) he’s just an idiot who thinks is would be ‘swell’ to be mayor.
Who is supporting him? Hardly anyone. Donaldson is way behind in fundraising. Check this out.
James is an incredibly affable guy and you can’t help wanting to support him, but he isn’t really up on his issues like he should be. What do former athletes, church members, and businessmen all have in common? They like basketball. They are supporting Donaldson the Sonic, not Donaldson as Mayor. He’s not really a contender in this game.
Oh yeah, and the idea that he is a closet Republican is pretty wacko. As BTB noted, he aligns with all of the other (Democratic) candidates closely when he is asked where he stands.
Name recognition, dude. C’mon, this isn’t rocket science. We’re so fucking wilted with the heat, we’ll blurt out any name that comes to mind just to get off the phone and back into the ice-packed bathtub. Brain shuts down at 80 degrees.
How does Donaldson stand on gay issues?
Where do all the candidates stand on GLBT issues? Has anyone seen anything asked yet?
I’d imagine, if he’s down with GP, God’s Property, and the GOP, he’s not too happy about gays…
(you want to tell me I’m wrong, but you know I’m right)