For the ten years this blog has existed, STB has been offering endorsements in public elections.
This year, we are planning to be a little more nuanced, and offer some ratings in various races, along with endorsements where there is a clear and obvious best choice. We look solely at the candidates’ records and positions on transportation and land-use policy, and only at candidates who have a credible chance of getting elected. While the generic Democrat is superior to the generic Republican on these issues, we’re focused on races where there is something more than party difference.
For the primary election, we are looking at races where there are at least three credible choices, such as the Congressional District 8 open race.
Are there races where you think there is a candidate who merits our endorsement? Are there races where you want us to do a run-down on the candidates and offer ratings? Let us know in the comments below.
You can peruse the list of candidates by county, or at the state level.
The deadline to register online to vote in the August 7 primary election is today.
The STB Editorial Board currently consists of Martin H. Duke, Brent White, and Dan Ryan.
1) I’m interested in the CD 8 race too. I have my own likely pick and it ain’t the Republican candidate who tried to have municipalities opt out of Sound Transit when an appointed State Senator. Frankly, I think the Republican candidate could do some real, genuine damage to Sound Transit projects getting a fair share of federal funding support… and that doesn’t even begin to mention the damage Republicans are plotting to do to Amtrak.
2) I do have an Island County Commissioner recommendation but you said, “For the primary election, we are looking at races where there are at least three credible choices”. Duly noted.
3) For US Senator, I’m currently neutral due to non-transit reasons. But lean somewhat towards retaining Senator Cantwell to keep Sound Transit & other transit agencies’ access to federal grants.
4) For WA ST Representative, 39th District, Position 1 I think you might want to consider
Robert J. Sutherland. Guy says he wants to provide, “Major traffic relief via expanded bus services, adding additional lanes, bridges and expressways to replace stop signs and traffic lights.” Might be onto something, might not but he’s grassroots and the Democratic Party candidate on his website is all into roads.
There you go.
All of them. Especially bottom row second from the right in white shirt for President, lady to her right, Secretary of Defense, and young man top row left, Governor. Everybody else, whatever they want.
Incidentally, and not for funny. Constant reminders, these pages, bumper stickers, (water-washable) graffiti everyplace it’s not supposed to be, and like any war-crime regrettable but necessary- anyplace it by any stretch fits in STB:
In Washington State, on your 18th birthday and for eighty years afterward, you can be a legislator. Also what Mike Lowry told the breakfast guests at the gathering for student government people all those years ago:
“If every high school student in worked on my campaign, I could take any District in the State.” Good practice to see how close you can get.
Mark Dublin
Would appreciate if your criteria for “credible chance of getting elected” isn’t same thing as “has raised the most money.”
Just to give me a break from National Public Radio, why not leave this item out completely, and focus on candidate’s ideas and also how we think he or she will handle their office if elected?
Dirty thankless job, but somebody has to look for candidates who can actually do the job, instead of the ones whose money can win them the election, but not the ability to make that matter.
Upcoming birthday suddenly dawned it on me that I could be the only reader who can remember the Republican Party as the ones who helped lead the fight for Sound Transit.
What happened between the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Ronald Reagan’s election in 1980 was same as if the Confederate Army had succeeded in taking Washington DC in 1864. For 38 years, the Party of Lincoln has been the party of Democrats like General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Professional slave catcher, vicious dogs and all. Look up “Fort Pillow Massacre”. I won’t call slavers and secessionists “Conservative.”
You know, I think that right now our country’s survival could depend on actual Republicans – wish I knew where they really went 38 years ago-suddenly breaking cover with their blue Union uniforms, Napoleon cannons, and accurate balance sheets and retake their party.
Definitely enough money to get into office- as well as STB and NPR’s positive mention. And govern capably for long enough to let Democrats to come out of shock and get our own party back to its roots by getting working people incomes.
Element of surprise no joke. NOBODY will see this coming.
MD
Rodney Tom has risen from the dead. Running for senate in Bellevue.
Are you suggesting STB endorse him?
I was dismayed to see him running again and possibly retaking his former position. I thought the Eastside said good riddance to him. Everyone I know there did. I couldn’t believe it when I saw a campaign sign, then two. So we should at least pay attention to this district.
His legacy was swapping parties and holding the state budget hostage for whatever grandiose delusions he had, including refusal to properly fund our education system.
He didn’t make any friend with Democrats and the comment section on the Seattle Times article announcing his candidacy is pretty scathing to him, so he doesn’t seem have any friends on the right either.
I’d say good luck to him, but I’d be lying. I hope he gets trounced in the primaries.
The third candidate in the race is Bill Hirt, who wants to stop East Link construction. I’m pretty sure Mr. Tom will be on the general election ballot.
Fortunately, I do not think Mr. Hirt counts as a “credible candidate.”
So Tom is the least bad? With friends like this, who needs enemies.
In the 34th District Senate race, the clear transit choice for this important seat is Shannon Braddock. As Deputy Chief of Staff for Executive Constantine and COS for ST Board member and King County Council Chair Joe McDermott, she has a long history of experience and activism on issues involving King County Metro and Sound Transit. We need her voice in the Legislature.
Hoping someone can unseat Frank Chopp in the 43rd, but I’m not holding my breath.
Shoreline City Councilmember Chris Roberts is running for the state legislature in the 32nd LD and has a long record of being very good on transit issues – and has opposed the efforts to gut ST3 funding.