34th District State House Candidates Square Off

So I am usually 100% behind Joe, but his answer about going forward with the tunnel doesn't jive with me. So if his boss sharon nelson out of necessirty cast a vote to appease some flippin seattle haters and the vote barely passed, then how can he reasonably assert that we should tell the legislature to give us our bike improvements after they saddled us with the cost overruns?

And why do you guys keep messing up his GD title? He is the chair of the Burien Planning Commission! Not Burien Planning Commissioner.

McElroy sounds legit! I was surprised because he hasn't be covered as a “serious” candidate, but his answers, at least in this edited video, were great. Based on the way publicola describes the candidates, however, it is obvious they will endorse Fitzgibbon.

Can I join in towing that line? Then I would like to learn the lines, tow a roe, and buzz from metaflower to metaflower unable to put down roots anywhere. Perhaps this is because there was a profusion of indigineous, sedentary and metaphoric rocks all over.

I'm going to have to disagree with ATL – McElroy doesn't sound like someone who's ready. Students aren't customers, they're students. And his apparent lack of understanding regarding the tunnel and overruns, the current state of bidding, and the way that the plan was budgeted (with provisions to pay for cost overruns)…I just don't buy it.

Heavey definitely started strong. Three issues, and sticking to those issues, while being prepared to answer questions on other important issues to a district is a tried and true method to get elected, and kudos to him. Further, he hit the nail on the head regarding the bidding climate for construction projects, and was the only one (in the edited video) to bring up the South Park Bridge.

I really liked Marcee's answer on education. It is a little union teacher-centric, but she hits a big portion of why some students fail, and others don't – it's not just what happens during the school day, but what happens when the kids go home. Latch-key kids in poor neighborhoods aren't doing well, and what can we do to fix that? At the same time, we can't be punishing teachers who are at least trying. Kaaren Andrews, former principal of Madrona K-8, has the dedication to get to know the families. To reach out to community groups, and put together strong public-private partnerships. To personally review teaching plans of every teacher in her school, and work as a team to improve plans, and offer up as much assistance as needed. That is the type of leadership that poor schools need, and I think that it is something that a lot of schools that are hurting can and should look towards to model after.

Joe made a great point, though, that follows that line of thought – the funding. I didn't hear what he would do to correct it, and I'm saddened that we are so focused on “basic education”, but I understand why. We can't expand funding to fully fund arts and sciences (which really help students at understanding the basics of math and English, and gain a sense of and appreciation for history) until we can start getting the basics funded right. And I really liked his shirt.

I do not envy voters in the 34th. They have three good candidates to choose from, and I know I have really enjoyed watching two of them get better and better as the campaign as continued on.

Your introduction of the candidates is a little off center. While you point out the Joe Fitzgibbon “racked up endorsements”- and many of these endorsements are important, you glossed over the fact that Macree Stone received the 34th Legislative District's endorsement and nomination. The votes that will decide this come from only the 34th districts. Additionally, King County Democrats gave her a single endorsement – an even stronger message that she is the candidate of choice. To speak of Marcee Stone's endorsements as a “nod” is akin to saying she was lucky to win the race. It is a big deal. Community party leaders and grass roots members of the 34th and King county democrats are sending a strong message that Marcee Stones has the experience, respect, support and endorsement of many of the people who will vote for her. Please remember to share with your readers that not all endorsements are equal. Marcee Stone stands apart from the other candidates because: all politics are local and the 34th Legislative District Democrats – the local democratic voice of the this area has spoken overwhelmingly and gave Marcee a nomination and Endorsement – not a simple nod.

Chris Porter
34th LD member and resident.

If we're really going to talk endorsements, here is the list from Marcee's page (just the elected officials, unions, and other groups):

Endorsements

Elected Officials
Senator Eric Oemig
Senator Rosa Franklin
Representative Mark Miloscia
Representative Tina Orwall
Representative Maralyn Chase
Representative Bob Hasegawa
King County Assessor Lloyd Hara
Port Commissioners
John Creighton
Rob Holland
Seattle City Council Member Tom Rasmussen
Seattle City Council Member Nick Licata
Seattle City Council Member Jean Godden
Burien City Council Member Jack Block Jr
Former State Representative Max Vekich
Former State Representative Seth Armstrong
Former State Representative and DSHS Chief Dennis Braddock
Former Seattle City Council Member The Honorable Jim Street
Former Burien Mayor Arunkuma Jhaveri
Former Seattle City Attorney Tom Carr

Working Families
Washington State Labor Council
AFT Washington, AFL-CIO
King County Labor Council (Sole Recommendation)
Seattle King County Building and Construction Trades Council
Puget Sound Regional Council ILWU/IBU
ILWU Local 52
IBEW Local 46
UFCW Local 365
Marine Engineers Beneficial Association
Inland Boatmen's Union

Other Organizations
King County Democrats
Metropolitan Democratic Club
34th District Democrats – Sole endorsement and nomination
Washington State Democrats Progressive Caucus
National Women's Political Caucus of Washington

From Joe's:

* Washington Conservation Voters
* Sierra Club Cascade Chapter
* Young Democrats of Washington
* Fuse Washington
* Progressive Majority

Labor Unions

* Washington State Labor Council
* SEIU Healthcare 775NW
* SEIU Healthcare 1199NW
* SEIU Local 925
* Public School Employees of Washington/SEIU Local 1948
* Washington Federation of State Employees/AFSCME Council 28
* United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 21
* United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 141/United Staff Nurses Union
* International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District 751
* Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Local 66
* Washington Public Employees Association/UFCW Local 365
* American Federation of Teachers-Washington
* Seattle/King County Building Trades Council

Elected Leaders

* Rep. Sharon Nelson, 34th
* Rep. Tami Green, 28th
* Rep. Marko Liias, 21s
* Rep. Tina Orwall, 33rd
* Rep. Christine Rolfes, 23rd
* Rep. Geoff Simpson, 47th
* Rep. Dave Upthegrove, 33rd
* Rep. Kevin Van De Wege, 24th
* Rep. Scott White, 46th
* Rep. Brendan Williams, 22nd

* Bob Ferguson, Chair, King County Council
* Gael Tarleton, Commissioner, Port of Seattle
* Joan McGilton, Mayor of Burien
* Rose Clark, Deputy Mayor of Burien
* Brian Bennett, Burien City Council
* Kathy Keene, Burien City Council and Water District No. 20 Commissioner
* Lucy Krakowiak, Burien City Council
* Shawn McEvoy, Normandy Park City Council
* Shari Tracey, Shoreline City Council
* Bill Tracy, Southwest Suburban Sewer District Commissioner

And, finally, Mike's:

Former and Current Elected Officials

Senator Ed Murray
Senator Adam Kline
Senator Ken Jacobsen
Representative Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney
Former Supreme Court Justice Phil Talmadge
Former 34th State Senator Erik Poulsen
Former Majority Leader and 3rd District Congressional candidate, Denny Heck

The article reports that Marcee Stone got the 34th District's endorsement. We also reported it when she originally won the endorsement.
http://www.publicola.net/2010/05/12/marcee-ston…

Well, and, technically, she also received the nomination. I know, arcane rules of the Party implemented following the top-two primary system, but the fact remains that she is the official nominated Democrat in the 34th.

I am commenting on how you summarized it as a “nod” when it is the biggest one that matters and the one that states that she is the democratic's local and county's choice in this race – That is what I am talking about. I never stated that you did not cover it, I am stating you glossed over an endorsement out of the party organization that has the political voice that will offer the votes to office – that is what you glossed over. Despite how Mr. Fitzgibbon's “racked up endorsements”, remind/ inform or be the elixir of information that helps to inform your readers what these things mean and the weight is carries. That is my point.

Chris Porter

Chris, I realize that you're proud of your role as a minor party functionary, but the 34th District has some 130,000 residents. On the other hand, just 122 members of the 34th District Demo Club voted on the Marcee nomination. The people of the district, not the paid members of the 34th District Dems, will have the final choice in this race. By the way, I consider Joe Fitzgibbon's endorsement by 10 sitting Democratic House members to be by far the most important and meaningful endorsement in this race so far.

Just so that you know, minor party functionary is a gross misunderstanding of what is going on and how the process works. A a member and an elected PCO (Precinct Committee Officer), voters, where I live, depend on the PCO to keep them informed, which candidate to support and why, and what the party is doing. Please remind me of how many of the 10 sitting democratic leaders , outside of the 34th, will be out in the 34th knocking on doors to get votes for Joe Fitzgibbon when most are up for election. I know will be walking my precinct, inside the 34th, reminding voters what the choices are and where the party is heading. That is how it will work, one voter at a time, until as many of the 130,000 voters are covered. That is what we do as PCOs in our “minor party functionary” duties.

he is the only candidate who worked in the legislature so it is no surprise some of his colleagues endorsed him. “you scratch my back…”

Joe Fitzgibbon is far too young to run for office. It’s off-putting. He should wait ten years.

Joe Fitzgibbon is far too young to run for office. It’s off-putting. He should wait ten years.

Age means dick if you have what it takes. Calvin Goings was elected state Senator at age 22, and served with distinction. After that he was a two-term Pierce County Councilman, and is now regional director for the Small Business Administration. Calvin had what it took, and Joe has it, too.

Joe is backed by a number of legislators due to his solid reputation as a progressive who understands issues. He has made a strong impression on those who have worked with him in Olympia and that is apparent in this race. Washington Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club, and many labor organizations have lined up behind him, as well. Besides, if age was the only criteria — well, McCain would be president.

I call Bullshit. Marko Liias was first in office at 26, Aaron Reardon around the same age. Youth doesn't mean lack of ability, and for someone that has the experience he has, shouldn't even be a consideration.

Joe's Web site lists 25 PCOs in the 34th who support him openly. I can name at least 16 more who are actively supporting Joe, whose names are not on the site. If you think that's not the truth, you know where to find me.

Wait 10 years? Why? So he can lose his idealism and become more cynical? So he can become more familiar with all the establishment rationalizations for why you can't do things? So he can build more ties with the rich and powerful and start to compromise his beliefs? So he can become more like so many veterans of the Legislature and local politics and sell his soul to the highest bidder? Our Legislature is chock full of “experienced” politicians. Look what good that does us. Joe knows more about public policy and the landscape in Olympia than most people will ever know. Yet he brings the idealism and honesty of youth. He's one of the most extraordinay candidates to come along in ages.

Wait ten years. No way.

I realize I am late to respond on this and I am not from the 34th district…. but I just took notice of Mr. Mike Heavey

When I was helping out Mallahan with the Seattle Mayor Campaign, my friend and I dropped off pamphlets in Wedgwood and waited while precinct officers picked up what they needed. Unfortunately, we were standing next to Mike Heavey. He continued to complain about being there – the work was below him. He said the f-word a couple of times and couldn't stop touting about how Dow Constantine took his father's former position on the King County Council.

Since then, we've often said… “Yeah, remember that huge jerk we encountered bringing campaign materials around for Mallahan???”

Wow – this guy is actually running? Honestly, if it was the primary, meeting this guy would have been enough to not vote for Dow. The company you keep says a lot about you.

I also think it's wrong to say that Mac isn't ready. He knows the issues and knows the area well. I had an opprotunity to talk with him and he really impressed me. He is going to listen to the people of the 34th Congressional district. He is not a professional politician – he is there because he cares and wants to make a difference. He is a social progressive and a fiscal conservative and the only candidate anywhere I have met in a long time who I can actually believe in. We can't discount those who are willing to serve – especially those who have other, more financially stable choices than running for political office.

If it puts you off, don't vote for him. He's old enough to vote, he's old enough to serve in elected office. US Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) was elected state rep. when he was 21.

I think you mean 34th Legislative district. Only California has that many congressional ones.