Eeeeeee! Credit: Jennifer Richard

Two words about this election: Joe Fitzgibbon.

Joe Fitzgibbon is running for 34th District Representative. So if you live in his West Seattle district, vote for him. If you don’t live in his district, move there, vote for him, and join the Stranger Election Control Board (SECB) in stalking him.

Swoon.

Two more words: Stan Rumbaugh. He’s not nearly as dreamy as Joe Fitzgibbon—who besides Joe Fitzgibbon’s hypothetical identical twin could be?—but Rumbaugh needs your vote. He’s running for the state supreme court against an anti-gay fuckstick who carries water for the conservative interest groups that put his sorry ass on the court. Vote for Rumbaugh.

While we’re at it, two more words about this election: Tea Party. At nearly every one of our hour-long endorsement meetings, the SECB was distressed to find itself sitting across the table from some batshit winger nutcase—have any of these Tea Party types actually read the Constitution they’re jerking off to? Or do they just use it to mop up?—along with some spineless Democrat incumbent that we nevertheless feel obligated to enthusiastically endorse if only to prevent some batshit winger nutcase from slipping into office.

Don’t get us wrong: We like some of the Dems we’re about to endorse. Some of them are sharp. One of them is hot. But brave and bold these Dems are not.

So here’s a message for the politicians we’re about to endorse: For the love of fucking God, motherfuckers, show some balls. (Starting with you, Joe Fitzgibbon.) Lead on issues like the tunnel, pot, transit, taxes, and the state budget, don’t just cower behind policy and doublespeak.

The fine print: The SECB does not endorse in uncontested races (or races we forgot about). The SECB doesn’t expect most of you to read all the way through our endorsements, but to reward those of you who do: Lindy West and David Schmader have randomly sprinkled jokes throughout the text. Jokes are in tiny type so we can squeeze all this shit into the paper.

Federal

U.S. Senate

Patty Murray

We were considering telling you to vote for Tea Party nut Clint Didier, the Sarah Palin–endorsed alfalfa farmer/welfare queen from Eastern Washington who used to play tight end in the NFL. If Didier beats the other big-name Republican in this race—two-time gubernatorial loser Dino Rossi—then we’ll never have to look at Rossi’s smarmy, full-of-shit grin ever again and Democratic incumbent Patty Murray wouldn’t have to break a sweat in the general. (What do you call an alfalfa farmer who rails against government subsidies while soaking his own alfalfa fields in government subsidies? Toast.)

But an anti-incumbent year isn’t the time for games like that. Polls show Murray in a tight race with Rossi, and she needs as many votes as possible to sail out of the primary in first place with Rossi’s lying, women’s-rights-­hating, gay-bashing, shady-real-estate-­investor-loving, unemployment-benefits-delaying ass in a very distant second place. (How is bungee jumping like getting oral sex from your grandmother? It feels great but DON’T LOOK DOWN!)

This race really is an easy choice. Murray voted against the Iraq War, went to bat for veterans’ benefits in this state, pushed the public option during the health-insurance-reform debate, played hardball to get the Plan B contraceptive released by the Food and Drug Administration, held BP’s feet to the fire after the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, and, most recently, voted to extend unemployment benefits for Americans suffering from long-term joblessness. Rossi wants to repeal health-care reform, is a Neanderthal on reproductive rights, and thinks the unemployed can suck it. Vote for Murray in the primary, and then send money or get involved in her campaign—she needs your help this year.

U.S. House

Congressional District No. 7

Jim McDermott

He’s already been Seattle’s congressman for 1,000 years. Why stop now? McDermott’s in the right place on Iraq, Afghanistan, the economy, the oil spill, the gays, and just about everything else you can think of, and he drew no serious challengers this year. So send him back.

Congressional District No. 8

Suzan DelBene

Here we go again. A woman who used to work at Microsoft is trying to unseat “Sheriff” Dave Reichert, the Republican who has represented the Eastside’s 8th Congressional District since 2005. The last two times this happened, it was Democrat Darcy Burner taking Reichert on. This time it’s Democrat Suzan DelBene, who has a deeper résumé than Burner and seems a lot less prone to the entitled-naïf caricature that dogged Burner in 2008. (What’s the difference between a porcupine and a Hummer SUV? The porcupine has pricks on the outside!) Still, DelBene is trying to do something that’s never, ever been done: force the congressional seat in this “swing” district to actually swing Democratic.

Congressional District No. 3

Denny Heck

Unlike the 8th, this swing district in southwestern Washington has, in fact, swung—many times, back and forth, between Republicans and Democrats. You say: “Yeah. But why are you talking to me about a swing district in southwestern Washington? I don’t even know what that is.” We say: “Neither do we. But right now this district—down along the Columbia River—is filled with angry unemployed folks and is currently represented by a retiring Democrat, Brian Baird. This is one open seat that’s very likely to be grabbed by a Republican. We can’t let that happen, asshole.”

Denny Heck, who’s a little middle-of-the-road and bland—he speaks in dialect of Cream of Wheat—is exactly the right kind of middle-­of-the-road and bland for this bland, middle-of-the-road district. You probably can’t vote for him because you don’t live in Kelso or Camas (praise the Lord), but you can send this former state house majority leader some money.

State Legislative District No. 34

State Representative, Position 1

Eileen Cody

Sean Cody is a gay pornographer—Joe Fitzgibbon would fit right in at SeanCody.com—and he’s not to be confused with Eileen Cody, the longest continuous serving member in the house. (Sean Cody gets very annoyed when people ask him if he’s Eileen Cody.) Eileen Cody, a rehabilitation nurse, is the chairwoman of the house Health Care and Wellness Committee. When the state couldn’t finance the universal vaccines for children earlier this year, Cody organized a coalition that convinced insurance companies to kick in and provide vaccinations for all kids in the state. (Your mama’s glasses are so thick, they’re at least two or three times the thickness of normal glasses.) She was the primary sponsor of a recent bill that creates a Health Insurance Partnership, which extends health-insurance benefits to small businesses and health-insurance subsidies for low-income employees in Washington State. Now, Cody says, the fun part will be implementing the federal health-care plan in Washington State. We want her leading the charge. Vote for her.

State Representative, Position 2

Joe Fitzgibbon

There is no hotter race in Seattle this summer than the race to be the next state representative from West Seattle, and there is no hotter candidate in that race than Joe Fitzgibbon. That’s right, we’re not ashamed to say it. Because it is, inarguably, a TRUE FACT. Just look at his action shots. (What’s the difference between acne and a Catholic priest? Acne comes on a boy’s face after he turns 12.)

Fitzgibbon, age 23, also happens to be the most experienced candidate in the contest. How often does it happen that a man in his early 20s ends up trouncing his older, more establishment opponents—in this case, political-­family scion Mike Heavey and cell-phone-tower antagonist Marcee Stone—in the political résumé category? Before running for this position, Fitzgibbon worked in Olympia as a legislative aide to Representative Sharon Nelson (D-34), who is leaving her seat in the state house to run for state senate. Fitzgibbon is also a veteran of the Burien Planning Commission. His former boss, Nelson, is backing him, as are nine other state legislators, 14 labor organizations, the Washington Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club, Fuse Washington, and the Washington Bus. Even the stodgy Municipal League of King County gave Fitzgibbon the highest rating of the candidates in the race (they said he was “very good” while his challengers were simple “good” and worse, “adequate.”) Trust us, those groups don’t endorse people just because they’re nice to look at. Plus, in the “says it all” category, the Seattle Times determined Fitzgibbon to be Heavey’s “most qualified” challenger but declined to endorse him because he “seems too much of a hard-left candidate.” What more do you need to know? (How do you get a lesbian to cross the road? Put a big pile of pussy on the other side!)

Oh, right, where he is on the issues: Fitzgibbon is for staggered bar-closing times, against the University of Washington having the authority to hike tuition on its own, for a state income tax, for public financing of campaigns, and opposed to Seattle being on the hook for downtown tunnel cost overruns. Vote for him.

Legislative District No. 36

State Senator

Jeanne Kohl-Welles

JKW-challenger Leslie Klein wore a safari jacket covered with pockets to his endorsement interview. He described it as “my survivor outfit.” He identifies as a member of the Problemfixer Party—because you can claim to be any party you like on the ballot—and suggests that candidates could sell off their own unique party affiliations to corporations for money. “Home Depot for $400 could have the Home Depot Party,” he says. Asked what, exactly, he planned to do if elected, Klein said, “I will not be in charge of anything. I will not be sponsoring any items.”

Incumbent Democrat Jeanne Kohl-Welles, who is seeking one last term in the state senate, is a reliable Dem on budget issues and social justice, and we’re excited to see her promised legislation to patch up holes in the state’s medical-marijuana law (like protecting patients from being arrested). This fix is overdue and Kohl-Welles has laid the groundwork to get it done. Vote Kohl-Welles. (Did you hear about the member of the minority group known for its limited intelligence who won a gold medal at the Special Olympics? He or she had it bronzed!)

State Representative, Position 2

Mary Lou Dickerson

Here’s what Republican Jill England, who is asking voters to send her to the state senate, says about imposing an income tax on Washington residents earning more than $200,000 a year: “Bill Gates Sr. is behind this thing. If I’m not mistaken, he’s an accountant.” She is mistaken. “Now I’m not saying he’s trying to make more business for himself, but with this income-tax thing, all we’ll be doing is forcing people to take their taxes to accountants.”

Uh, right.

Democratic incumbent Mary Lou Dickerson is a rational, capable liberal. She’s a social worker responsible for legislation banning toxic toys and baby bottles in the state. She’s gone on record asking for a progressive income tax since 1994, and last session she introduced a bill to legalize pot “just to get the conversation started.” Next session, she wants to tackle the children’s mental-health system. “Kids can’t get services until they’re chronically mentally ill,” she explains. “That’s not right.” Vote Dickerson.

It’s been two or three whole endorsements since we mentioned Joe Fitzgibbon.

Legislative District No. 37

State Representative, Position 2

Eric Pettigrew

Eric Pettigrew deserves a fifth term. He’s fought for low-income residents. Last year, he successfully secured $3.7 million as part of an anti-gang initiative that increases services for hundreds of at-risk youth. But fighting just for the interest of the 37th District isn’t enough. (What’s the difference between roast beef and pea soup? Anyone can roast beef!) Pettigrew needs to kick up some dust for progressive statewide policies—reforming the tax structure, securing better health care, changing our leotarded drug laws—and he should stop kowtowing to the timid Democratic leadership. His challenger, John Stafford, wants to lock up pot smokers and build the tunnel without a financing plan in place. What a fucking moron.

State Senator

Adam Kline

Incumbent senator Adam Kline sponsors dozens of bills each year to protect civil liberties and reform backward criminal laws. Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Kline recently pushed a bill to help protect newspaper reporters and their anonymous sources. We’ve flipped Kline plenty of shit for being an ineffective lawmaker—he sponsors a lot of bills, but very few pass—but the article that really upset Kline was the one that anonymously quoted his colleagues. To which he told the SECB, “Fuck you.” We like that kind of talk. You have our endorsement, Senator Adam “Fuck You” Kline!

Legislative District No. 43

State Representative, Position 2

Frank Chopp

Frank Chopp represents the most progressive district in the state (the 43rd encompasses Capitol Hill, the University District, and parts of downtown), and as the house Speaker, he’s the most powerful person in the legislature. But Chopp routinely works against the values of his own district (like cutting funding for the UW, blocking bills on pot reform, failing to support workers’ privacy bills, sucking off the Building Industry Association of Washington). Why don’t Dems have a spine or balls? “We do have spines,” says Chopp. So no balls? “I personally do.” How nice for Mrs. Chopp. (How are men and parking spots alike? The good ones are always taken and the ones left are handicapped!)

Chopp says some controversial measures are best addressed by citizens’ initiatives. We disagree. Initiatives are enormously expensive and drain resources from progressive organizations, resources that could be spent elsewhere if the legislature—if Frank Chopp—were bolder. Vote for Chopp—but the next time you see him, ask him if he has any balls. Then ask him to prove it.

Legislative District No. 46

State Representative, Position 2

Phyllis Kenney

Phyllis Kenney, who has served in the state legislature since the Ming Dynasty, is someone most voters have never heard of. But she gets shit done. In this year’s legislative session, she muscled through a bill to provide services at Seattle community colleges that offer students employment, counseling, job training, and financial-­aid services (it was signed into law by the governor in March). She also passed a bill to help small businesses and has her eye on introducing a corporate tax next session.

And while we don’t love her views on booze—she’s against privatizing liquor sales in the state—she introduced a measure to pilot wine tasting at farmers markets. (A man is driving happily down the road when he’s pulled over by police. The cop approaches and asks politely, “Have you been drinking, sir?” “Why?” snorts the man. “Is there an ugly girl in my car?”)

Meanwhile, Kenney’s challenger—independent Beau Gunderson—is an uninformed, pro–Tim Eyman mess. He’s against taxes in general, and imposing taxes on soda and candy and rich folks in particular. So how would he fix our state’s billion-dollar budget problems? Gunderson was silent for a long time in our meeting. When pressed, he suggests privatizing the ferry system and imposing “user fees” on all public parks. Ta-da! Multibillion-dollar crisis averted!

Vote for Kenney.

Legislative District No. 48

State Senator

Rodney Tom

Rodney Tom is a man conflicted. (What did the ghost say to the bee? BOO BEE!)

During his first term as state senator, he changed parties from Republican to Democrat. Then he helped draft the Democrat’s 2010 budget proposal, but when it came time to vote, he sided with Republicans and voted against the budget. Tom says he has “no appetite for new taxes” and is opposed to a state income tax on residents earning more than $200,000 a year. But Tom sponsored legislation that raised state taxes on cigarettes by $1, and he supports other “sin” taxes on candy and soda. He also opposes Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1053, which would require a two-thirds legislative majority for any tax increases. In other words, Tom is right about three-quarters of the time! His Republican challenger, Gregg Bennett, is a pansy-assed coward who refused to meet with the SECB. For all we know, he’s planning to organize death camps for the poor. In fact, we’re certain of it. So vote for Tom, who’s in the midst of a beautiful (if clunky) metamorphosis, over Bennett, who is plotting to kill you and everyone you know.

State Representative, Position 1

Ross Hunter

Democrat Ross Hunter, chairman of the House Finance Committee, has done a reasonable job of helping balance the state budget, and we want to send him back to Olympia with an abacus and a giant eraser. The state’s budget is fucked, which means education funding is fucked. “I’m making a prioritization decision to get education funding back to 50 percent of the budget,” says Hunter. “We have a constitutional requirement to educate our children.” (What has four legs, is big, green, fuzzy, and if it fell out of a tree would kill you? A pool table!)

In addition to smacking down former state Republican Party chair Diane Tebelius, we want to see Hunter reform a regressive tax structure that leans heavily on the poor (in sales taxes) and small businesses (with the B&O tax). We’re sick of hearing Hunter kvetch about the state’s budget woes and then him being a pussy about seeking real change. He better be out there gunning for Initiative 1098 this fall, and if that fails, finding another way to make systemic improvements to the state budget. But to be effective, he’s got to be in office. Vote Hunter.

State Representative, Position 2

Deb Eddy

Republican Philip Wilson warns on his Facebook page that our state “must prepare for the day when the federal funds no longer come in.” (How is bungee jumping like getting oral sex from your grandmother? It feels great but DON’T LOOK DOWN!) On the other side, incumbent representative Deb Eddy, a transportation-policy wonk with limited tolerance for political theater, chides state officials for their lack of leadership on the deep-bore tunnel, which we agree with, and she would vote to amend the state law that says Seattle property owners would pay cost overruns. We didn’t like her push to quash the discussion to plan for future light rail on the 520 bridge. But she wants one more term in office. And she deserves it. (Yeah, we used the grandmother-giving-you-a-blowjob joke twice, but it’s just so funny!)

County

County Council District No. 8

Joe McDermott

We don’t just love Joe McDermott because he has the same first name as Joe Fitzgibbon. Or because McDermott is currently the state senator from the 34th District, where Joe Fitzgibbon lives. Or even because McDermott would be the first homo on the King County Council. (Swoon.) We endorse McDermott because he’s more qualified than his three challengers: a duck hugger, an unemployed carpenter, and the former crown prince of some place called Normandy Park. McDermott knows the issues of the 8th county council district because the district’s boundaries are almost identical to the boundaries of the 34th state legislative district, which McDermott has represented (in the state house and in the state senate) since 2001. And—and!—by leaving his senate seat, McDermott caused a political reshuffling that opened up a state house seat to be filled by… Joe Fitzgibbon!!!

Judicial

State Supreme Court
Justice Positions 1 and 6

Stan Rumbaugh and Charlie Wiggins

We’ve got a litmus test for the Washington State Supreme Court: How did you/would you rule in Andersen v. King County, the 2006 case brought by gay and lesbian couples seeking to overturn this state’s discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act? (How do you get a Texan to suck your dick? Put ranch dressing on it!)

Both Justice Jim Johnson, who has been on the high court ever since the Building Industry Association of Washington paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to put him there in 2004, and Justice Richard B. Sanders, who claims to be a libertarian defender of the people’s rights but clearly has a gaping blind spot when it comes to the rights of sexual minorities, signed a bigoted joint ruling in 2006 that said Washington’s Defense of Marriage Act must be upheld because of the “unique and binary biological nature of marriage and its exclusive link with procreation and responsible child rearing.” (That explains why infertile straight people can’t get married!)

Throw both these assholes out. (How do you get someone who loves ranch dressing to suck your dick? Put ranch dressing on it!)

Pay particular attention to Johnson’s race right now, since it has only two candidates and will therefore be decided in the primary election. In the space on your primary ballot dedicated to Supreme Court Justice, Position 1, vote for Johnson’s opponent, Stan Rumbaugh, who recently told The Stranger: “I don’t see anything in the Constitution that says two people of the same sex can’t marry.” (So stirring!) He’s an experienced lawyer, former Planned Parenthood board member, civic do-gooder, and all around better pick for the high court than the bigoted, bought-and-sold Johnson. (How do you get someone who loves sucking dick but hates ranch dressing to eat ranch dressing? Put some on your dick!)

Position 6 has three candidates and will be decided in November after the top-two primary narrows the field. And oh, what a field it is. (Knock knock! Who’s there? The Jews! The Jews who? The Jews who control the media!) The incumbent, Sanders, is being challenged by Bryan Chushcoff, currently the presiding judge for Pierce County’s superior court, who says he would have ruled on the same side as Sanders in Andersen v. King County. Former court of appeals judge and Sanders challenger Charlie Wiggins says the same. The only redeeming difference between the two challengers: Wiggins says he would have used less offensive language than Sanders to talk about gay people. Hold your nose and vote Wiggins. (Knock knock! Who’s there? A gay guy! A gay guy who? A gay guy who loves ranch dressing!) recommended

This story has been updated since its original publication.

The Stranger Election Control Board is composed of staff writers and editors who volunteer to grill, research, fight over, and ultimately endorse candidates running for office in local, state, and federal...

66 replies on “Endorsements”

  1. Hey I know you guys are a Seattle paper but your readership goes into the suburbs so maybe endorsements there would be good.

  2. Hey – Don’t talk “no balls” unless you grow some, SECB. The SECB –FAILED– to mention that Justice Sanders is a nutty Scientology-buddy!!

  3. As always, thanks for the heads up, SECB! You know – although Joe Fitzgibbon may privately appreciate the adoration of his physical attributes, for a 23-year-old man trying to score his first elected office, and therefore wanting to appear as serious as need be, he may not appreciate the editorial raving of what a doll-baby he is.

    That said, it’d be nice to have some youthful energy in the state house particularly since his head’s in the right place.

  5. I would be embarrassed to be endorsed by this kind of article, and I think that many people might be more inclined to vote against your candidates than they would be if they had not read this.

    Is your intention to shock people? Or to help get candidates that you like elected? If any part of what you intend is the latter, I think you’ve done a poor job.

  7. MARCEE STONE ALL THE WAY!!!

    So Joe is a cute 23 year old. Just b/c Dan Savage would like to jerk off to him doesn’t make him the best choice for state rep.

  9. “Phyllis Kenney, who has served in the state legislature since the Ming Dynasty…”

    I laughed-coughed coffee all over my monitor.

    Bless you.

  11. The Stranger didn’t endorse Joe because Dan Savage wants to jerk him off. Preposterous. If that’s the case they why did Joe get a higher Muni League rating than Marcee? Any why did he rack up the most sought after endorsements in the race, including Sharon Nelson and every major enviro group? And why has he raised significantly more money than Marcee? Marcee hangs her hat on her “clean campaign” platform yet she’s the only one in the race slinging mud at every turn. I’m not impresses with the bitchy tone of Marcee’s campaign and I’m tired of hearing how not getting pregnant as a teen makes her qualified to serve the 34th.

  12. That Catholic priest vs acne joke was pretty funny. Was it from Lindsy *swoon* or David? It seems more like David but I so want to believe otherwise.

  13. Eli – Joe Fitzgibbon did not receive the Municipal League’s highest rating – he earned a Very Good rating, while the highest rating is Outstanding

    and I think the Sanders/Scientology thing was covered right here on Slog when he spoke at the opening of their new Seattle “church” a few days ago

  15. As a lawyer and one who is involved in the rights of the accused, in my opinion Justice Sanders is one of the few individuals on the Supreme Court who does not appear to be result oriented. By result oriented, I mean basing one’s decision on the desired results for whatever reason, not the law. He closely follows the Washington and federal constitutions. In this particular case, the gravamen of his decision is based on legal theory that it is legislative branch’s right to define marriage, not the court’s. You may disagree with this opinion and many do. However, this basis for an opinion is a common legal theory and one that many lawyers subscribe to.

    I strongly believe that in the area of protection of privacy of the individual, Justice Sanders stands above all others currently on the Supreme Court. He writes continually for applying the protections of both the Washington State and United States Constitutions to the rights of citizens against the police powers of the state, no matter how unpopular the issue or client. And if the legislature decided to change the definition of marriage, I am sure Justice Sanders would not stand in its way. He would not impose his decision for that of the legislative branch.

    Also, the differentiation the Stranger draws between the other two contenders is, in the context of the one issue considered, de minimus. It is certainly insufficient, in my opinion, to justify removing Justice Sanders in favor of two individuals who would have voted the same way on the same issue.

    If you wish to base your opinion on this one case and the minor distinction the Stranger makes between the other candidates, then do so. But consider this: the Supreme Court considers many cases on many different issues and Justice Sanders stands heads above the rest for his constitutional jurisprudence and his concern for the constitutional rights of Washington State citizens. The Stranger’s opinion is based on only one of Justice Sander’s many opinions (and dissents) filed with the court. Please vote wisely.

  16. @1 – they endorsed in fracking SW Washington – does that count?

    Oh, and SECB … Fremont is part of Speaker Frank Chopp’s district. We’re not Downtown. Cause we have a vibrant business community.

  18. I wouldn’t fuck Joey Fitzgibbon with Pam Roach’s dick.

    Joe Fitzgibbon said just yesterday he DID NOT favor a state income tax on KUOW’s the coversation with Ross Reynolds. (2 min 15 sec in)

    (http://www.kuow.org/podcast/Conversation…)

    On the issues, as you state it, Marcee Stone and Mike Heavy are in favor of staggering bar times, INCOME tax (actually,) tuition setting authority, cost over runs, sound enviromental policy, etc. but don’t act like Joe Fitz is the only one who has good ideas and is good one the issues.

    I know you guys like to have a good time but have you ever seen the 4th candidate, independent Geoff “Mac” MacElroy with his shirt off? Mike Heavey? Macree? No? Well obviously you should have done more research to make an informed recommendation.

  19. Boo Joe. Bleh…

    He may be cute (as cute as my 12 year old nephew) but that’s about all he’s got going for him…

    We don’t need the same ole’ Olympia driving our community which is what’d he be — everything he touts is what his boss did … not him. I mean, he may have gotten her coffee so she could do it (he does emphasize that he was an assistant in olympia).

    We need some outside minds like Mac, Marcie or Mike. PLEASE.

  20. Why are there only endorsements for 3 of Washington’s 9 congressional districts? I can understand not bothering with the two red districts but what about the other 4?

  21. 1st Congressional District (Bainbridge, north Kitsap, suburbs north of Seattle): Jay Inslee, a good liberal and possibly our next governor.
    2nd Congressional District (Bellingham/Mount Vernon/South Canada): Rick Larsen, the only real Democrat in the race.
    4th and 5th CDs (Eastern Washington): vote for the sacrificial Democrats.
    6th CD (Tacoma, Olympic Peninsula): Norm Dicks
    9th CD (I-5): Adam Smith, 287-year old author of the Wealth of Nations.

  22. ScubaSteve, what you’re missing is that it’s not really the issues that divide the candidates so much in the 34th. All three of the Dems (more or less) agree on the important stuff. It’s that Joe has–far and away–the best grasp of the issues, is infinitely smarter, and has dramatically more experience in Olympia than any of the other candiates. None of his other endorsers (unions, environmental groups, elected leaders and progressives) picked him because he is hot. They picked him because he understands their issues and can go to work for them and with them right away in Olympia. I don’t think the Stranger’s editorial board made their pick based on any lack of research. They picked him because he is the best. His hotness didn’t hurt, but it wouldn’t have gotten him the endorsement if he were a douche.

  24. I’m calling a bullshit out on all of you. Yes, Joe’s a good looking guy, I’ll admit it. However, I happen to have a photo from one of my drawing projects this spring. Exhibit A: http://www.flickr.com/photos/49624405@N0…. I don’t care that you didn’t endorse me for congress, BFD, but you guys made this personal.

    PS
    I’m being sardonic, though I still contest that just because Joe’s taller than me doesn’t mean he’s better looking.

  25. You MUST endorse Rep. Sherry Appleton!!!! Please do so!!! She’s from Poulsbo (not sure of the District No.) and is a DEDICATED and COURAGEOUS defender of criminal defendants’ rights and has taken stands against Democrats and Republicans in the legislature on extremely unpopular issues, such as treating the civilly committed sex offenders at the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island like HUMAN BEINGS. Imagine that. Check out her voting record — the woman is a gem.

  26. The feeble old psycho wingnuts at the Seattle Times called Joe Fitzgibbon “the hard-left candidate?” I live in the 34th, and that’s enough to earn my vote.

  27. Leave me out of the Joe thing—I’ve never even laid eyes on the guy. There are other homos—cough cough Eli cough Dom—on the SECB, you know.

  28. Why is the right/right-center Seattle Times being allowed to frame the debate on who is left and right? These so-called “hard-left candidates” seem a little more center-left to me!

  29. I honestly think you should have skipped House Rep district 3. You added nothing to my knowledge, and people outside our district really don’t give a shit.

  30. I hate to break the news to the SECB, but “the economy” will be the number one deciding factor for the majority of the electorate this off-cycle year. Not just Seattle. Not just western Washington. But nationwide. It’s a referendum on the existing office holders…and in Olympia and DC that is the Democratic Party.

    That said, the unemployment rate is 9.6%, up from 8% when Obama took office. The national debt is $13 trillion, up from $10 trillion when Obama took office. It is not that those numbers are impirically ‘bad,’ but rather, voters will question what $3T in debt-spending has done for them. A job offer? No. Theoretical health care coverage? A least not until 2014, then maybe. Lower taxes? No. The short answer is really nothing. Hence the desire to change things up.

    You see, a fear of joblessness will push fence-riding liberal Republicans, independents and conservative Democrats to punt on issues like gays-in-the-military, legalization of pot, and even foreign policy…plus a plethora of minor issus. Furthermore, name calling and personality-bashing of uber-conservatives and Tea Party-ite libertarians is NOT helping your cause to sway middle of the roaders. Trust me — I am one of them.

    If the Democrats in office can explain how deficit spending has helped voters TODAY, then they will win the argument. It is that simple. Among my urban-dwelling friends, 20- and 30- something independents, none of us are voting on social issues this year. It is amazing how out of touch both the mainstream and ‘alternative’ media/editors are to this simple fact.

    Who do you talk to in the general public before drafting these recommendations?

  31. I read the thing all the way through, even though I live thousands of miles from Seattle, because I enjoy reading your endorsements. I find them well written and well reasoned. I did it in spite of those juvenile groaner jokes. All they did was interrupt the flow and make me go ugh.

  32. Although I agree with several of your choices, I have to disagree with your endorsement for King County Council. Diana Toledo has 15 years experience working in King County in supervisory roles, writing legislation, and working directly with both the Executive and the King County Council. Joe is an outsider, with Olympia experience who is very much out of touch when it comes to the wants and needs of the average King County voter.
    Also, Diana has a stellar record of working with animal advocates to protect both King County citizens and animals through her work with KC Animal Welfare & Control. Is that what you mean by “duck hugger” as though it is a bad thing?

  33. Although I agree with several of your choices, I have to disagree with your endorsement for King County Council. Diana Toledo has 15 years experience working in King County in supervisory roles, writing legislation, and working directly with both the Executive and the King County Council. Joe is an outsider, with Olympia experience who is very much out of touch when it comes to the wants and needs of the average King County voter.
    Also, Diana has a stellar record of working with animal advocates to protect both King County citizens and animals through her work with KC Animal Welfare & Control. Is that what you mean by “duck hugger” as though it is a bad thing?

  34. I actually have laid eyes on Joe. He even doorbelled me a few weeks back. Mike’s been by, too, and I gotta say, he’s got the better gym body. If the two of them were to, say, wrestle for the cameras on http://www.SeanCody.com, then, well, there’d be, um… yeah. I just lost my train of thought.

    For those who can’t get enough Joe, he’s got a nice photo gallery on his campaign website. Eeeeee! (HINT: right-click and “Open in new window” to see full size.) That’s how I found out about the unusually large size of his canines.

  35. State Representative, Position 2

    Joe Fitzgibbon
    “…for a state income tax”
    Why has it become a “progressive” issue position to add more/additional taxes upon the working class?
    We have seen a Democratic-controlled Legislature “successfully” achieve tax increases on the very few pleasures economically affordable by the non-affluent masses: smokes, beer, cocktails, all the while painting ALL participants (including moderate indulgers) as chain-smoking drunkards; lecherous dead weight at the expense of the public.

    But where is the better-placed moral outrage against corporate polluters, slumlords, and the public expense of violent repeat offenders?

    Perhaps the space in the article was sacrificed in favor of brilliant comedic inserts?

  36. @35 the state income tax being proposed does not come near the “working class” — unlike the sales tax, which in the absence of an income tax will only keep going higher and higher. (BTW I don’t like the new candy tax either, but I like even less the budget cuts that would have happened without it.)

  38. Don’t you just LOVE ‘Follow the Leader’?
    Please suggest other ways we can remain braindead and not do our own critical thinking, make our own choices, and be so FUCKING POLITICALLY CORRECT .

  39. Funny funny ha ha. I really love it when you write “shit” and “fuck”. giggle.

    BUTT, I have to agree very strongly with @30. Social issues are very important, and I angrier than you are that the war on drugs still makes pot a crime while promoting gang violence on an unprecedented scale (yeah, I know it’s all the way down in Mexico… surprise, they’re people too!).
    Nevertheless, I think that the Stranger had better get a grip on the fact that Clint Didier’s going to appeal to lots of folks purely on his bullshit pronouncements about no taxes and no more handouts to the people who whine that they “need help” because of the economy. Swing voters are horrified at the state of the nation (as are most of us) and I worry that they may be willing to blame democrats for it all and vote them out in favor of some right-wing nut job. Well, some democrats are to blame. But the bottom line is that we have to stop spending more than we produce, and everybody better get on board. Someone has to cut real budgets that pay for things that don’t lead to improving of our lives (I defy anyone to show me how the war in Iraq and Afghanistan are making my life better by even as little as 0.0001%) and raise taxes on those who benefitted the most from the pillaging of our treasury (when you follow the money, it leads to the rich) and on stuff that we need to discourage consumption of: oil. We need to do the shit that is good for us: education, infrastructure, better health insurance, cheaper health care… you know, the obvious stuff that makes our world a better place to live in! Yes, we need jobs, but not more weapons manufacturing, or for that matter, building more Mc-fucking-mansions, like the Builder’s ASSociation wants to do in the name of progress and growth and development.

    Also, @15, the lawyer for Sanders, is TOTALLY right. If the guy is a prick, that’s one thing. But if he is a competent hard working and honorable professional (as implied by the post) then he is still most likely the right man for the job.

  40. IS this what you call Democracy? You people are little corrupt Communists. A life time for MCdermott! Long live Communism! Dismiss everyone else, never mention them, and say he’s the best. How much did he pay you to endorse him?

  42. @37
    Sure, income tax INSTEAD of regressive “sin” taxes, but the income tax will be IN ADDITION to regressive sales taxes on working class “luxuries” such as beer, smokes, vodka and such.
    Therein lies the problem.

  44. Stranger: You neglected to mention Patty Murray’s DOMA vote which is causing WA state gay and lesbian families to lose their health insurance. When will she apologize for her vote and work to overturn it?

  45. Regarding the race for Congressional District No. 7, you claim that Jim McDermott “drew no serious challengers this year.” What kept Bob Hoffman from even registering as a blip on your radar? As far as I can tell, he’s pretty good competition…

  48. Bill Hoffman is not sleezy enough for the Stranger. By “serious” they mean “sleezy” in the Stranger land. Man, that piece about who is cute candidate and who isn’t, I almost vometed on my keyboard when I read that. I haven’t read the Stranger that much, but from what I’ve read so far I can freely conclude that the Stranger is one of the sleeziest and slymies publiation in USA. Congratulations!

  50. I used to have some respect for the endorsements the Stranger provided, but now it seems like one big joke to their Election Board, with only a few well thought out choices and the rest with a minimal amount of study.

  51. In races such as State Supreme Court Position #6, how hard is it to field a write-in candidate? Seems like the SECB would have the means to get something together.

  54. Being nitpicky here, but Rodney Tom changed parties as a state representative in order to run for the Senate as a Democrat. And he votes a hell of a lot more left-wing than he ever did as a Republican, but that’s beside the point.

  55. Chop Chopp! I’m shocked, shocked I tell you! The SECB needs to grow a pair of their own and refuse to offer an endorsement for this idiot.

  58. wait, I’m confused. for the section regarding Ross Hunter, they stranger says “we want to see Hunter reform a regressive tax structure that leans heavily on the poor (in sales taxes) and small businesses (with the B&O tax).”

    I don’t understand– why would we want to tax the poor and small businesses more heavily? am I missing something here?

  60. The SECB endorses privatization of liquor sales??? Yeah, great idea, take some more revenue away from the state exactly when they need it most. Brilliant.

  61. The Stranger (along with the Washington State Labor Council)is endorsing Patty Murray instead of Bob Burr?WTF?Eat the State! is endorsing Burr.

  63. I’d like to second the suburb readers comment…I could definitely use more descriptions for local districts on the eastside.

  64. PLEASE PLEASE add content about Clallam County — it’s so hard voting here in a Republican dominated area without getting a balanced opinion of the candidates!

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