[Editor's Note. It's atypical for a local political contest: There are several highly-qualified candidates duking it out in a primary. In this year's race for King County Executive to replace Ron Sims, Democratic voters have a tough choice to make between two longtime King County Council Members, a Statehouse Rep., and a Statehouse Senator.
While it is not a partisan primary, but rather a Top-Two set up (the general election is also non-partisan—nominally anyway), conventional wisdom has it that one of these four top-notch Democratic candidates will make it through the primary to face off against the fifth candidate in the race—well-known TV personality Susan Hutchison. Hutchison is a Republican.
Given the dilemma for Democratic voters—who to pick among their own ranks—PubliCola has asked each campaign to submit an opinion piece from a prominent local Democrat who's in their candidate's corner.
We begin the series with a post in support of Rep. Ross Hunter (D-48, Medina) from Paul Berendt, the former chair of the Washington State Democrats. Berendt held the Democratic leadership position for 10 years, serving from January 1995 through January 2006.]
Why I am supporting Ross Hunter
by Paul Berendt
I support Ross Hunter for King County Executive because he offers a compelling message of change. His record shows that he will be the effective, action oriented leader that King County needs. Running as an effective outsider, he will be in the best position to make the changes that are needed in county government.
As a former Democratic Party Chair, I see Ross Hunter as an emerging regional and national leader who would bring great honor to King County if elected.
Supporting Ross wasn’t a decision that I take lightly. I’ve known the other Democrats in the race for the past thirty years. I like them. They are friends and fine individuals. They have substantial records in public service.
But I just had this tugging at my conscience that told me that Ross Hunter is best prepared break the logjams that are so prevalent in government and do what it takes to change King County!
This year, while fighting big budgetary deficits he spearheaded a historic and far reaching education reform bill through the legislature that will make a difference for kids for years to come. In Olympia the Democratic leadership has assigned Ross big jobs. He was in charge of House Finance committee which sets tax policy because he is tough and courageous enough to make hard decisions and get difficult policies passed through the legislature.
As a legislator, Ross Hunter has worked for the issues that count in the Democratic Party: strong support for public education, strong environmental protections that our region cherishes, the arts and progressive issues in support of women, gays & lesbians and other minorities. I respect the fact that although Ross Hunter represents a suburban district he has supported the poor, senior citizens and working people.
He is a visionary who is not wedded to the issues and the politics of the past. As a new leader in County government he will press for new and better ways of doing things. And a fresh prospective is needed for so many of the issues effecting our region.
Ross was a successful executive with serious responsibilities at Microsoft that included management of the Microsoft Access unit and the Microsoft Commercial Internet system. This provides him with valuable experience if elected Executive.
Ross Hunter has a great family – he was married to his wife in 1989 and the Hunters have two teenaged children. He also has a compelling story about overcoming adversity – having spent extensive time in a highly experimental cancer treatment program at the University of Washington to overcome and become free of the disease. Ross had a significant career and a great life before he got into politics and I suspect he will after he leaves politics.
I believe that it is time to elect someone who has a proven record of progressive and effective leadership who can legitimately press an agenda for change in the county courthouse. That person is Ross Hunter.
