After the single Federal-level position on my ballot, we slip quickly down to the list to the State Legislature. We're in the 11th Legislative District, which overlaps the heart of the 9th Congressional, and includes Tukwila and Renton and just the northern tip of Kent. We're in the northern tip, while the rest of Kent is split between the 33rd and 47th., so yinz folk will have to look elsewhere.
In elections with an incumbent, you are often looking at an asymmetric conflict. The incumbent has experience, imbedded access to the mechanisms of politics, a set of previous endorsements, and a track record in that job (which can be good or bad or sometimes both). They also have been in touch with their constituents throughout their term through mail and emails (and yes, I DO read those). Challengers, on the other hand, often benefit from the fact that they DON'T have a track record in that particular position, and can ofter their intent for once they get into office. They may often have applicable experience in the "real" world (as opposed to politics).
Anyway, there are two representative positions in the state legislature for each district (and a state senator, but that positions is not up for a vote this time). Position 1 has three candidates:
David Hackney is the incumbent, a Democrat that has done very well in the position over the past few terms. I would put his highpoints as his recent vote for the the "millionaire's tax" and one requiring base qualifications for sheriffs. He's pushed transparency in government as well. He's pushed anti-fraud bills but they have not progressed through the chambers yet, so that's a work in progress.
Ashley Fedan is his Democratic Party challenger, a former Navy Nurse (Lt. Commander in the nursing corps). She was a precinct committee officer for the 11th District, and is running on health gace, housing and pro-working families and pro-union. That's a good platform.
Christian Rombourgh is the Republican, which I think is a good thing because most of the GOP has given up King County for dead. Christian is an ironworker who demands real accountability, reducing red tape, supporting good-paying jobs, supporting trade unions and defending working peoples. Good approach, to be honest. His web site, alas, is still under construction as I write this.
It feels like, when the dust settles, it is going to be Hackney against Fedan, a choice between two very good candidates. I'm going to recommend Ashley Fedan, at least for the Primary.
Also, there's Position 2, which has a single candidate - incumbent Steve Berquist. This blog does not pass on endorsements for single candidates, but just between you and me, Berquist has bee doing a good job, so I'm not too bent out of shape about him not having competition this time around.
More later,
