I'm sure The Times will endorse Pedersen, the most pro-corporate lobbying candidate in the bunch. And Frank's cool with the gay community, especially if it'll save him some coin!

I haven't followed this race terribly closely because it's not my district. But as someone who's focused on transportation issues, I've been quite impressed by what I've read about Jim Street. But then I see Bill Sherman is the one who got the Sierra Club endorsement, which kinda implies he's strong on transportation.

So I'm wondering if anyone here sees one of these folks standing out as a pro-transit, pro-density leader. Obviously, all of them are going to say they're pro-transit, pro-density because it's that kind of district, but there's a difference between being passionately committed to these issues and paying lip service.

Did the Stranger's fact checkers start the holiday weekend early. Even a lazy half-assed review of these candidates webpages would find more endorsements.
Also Ed Murray has given a valid reason why he has not chosen to endorse someone to succeed him. He does not see an upside to alienating the 5 other camps. Basic politics. Asking him about his reasoning is basic reporting.

I already voted for Dick Kelley, but think my neighbor Stephanie Pure is a great choice too, as is Bill Sherman. Not so enthralled by the rest, although Jamie Pedersen has doorbelled us twice and I've gotten so much lit I can make a tent out of it ...

oh, pro-transit - I'd give Stephanie major points for that, with Dick Kelley the second highest in that area. Based on many talks and seeing their opinions and ideas in the past.

But, I already voted. Man, a lot of freaks running for St SC Justice ...

Dodson has not been endorsed by either the Muni League or NARAL. Muni League doesn't endorse, and NARAL did not endorse in this race.

@ Factcheck:

Thanks. Apparently I was already checked out for the weekend when I posted. The error has been fixed.

Something for Ed Murray to consider, if he's seriously thinking he may endorse one of the candidates because he feels compelled to do so...the great Irish politician, Charles Stewart Parnell, once gave an oath of loyalty to the Irish Republican Brotherhood, a violent nationalist group that did not share his political principles, for purely tactical reasons. This single decision clouds the historical picture of his advocacy for Irish independence to this day. Lesson: sometimes the politically expedient thing is best left undone.

The Women's Political Caucus endorsed Dodson.

There's been a lot of chitchat about how unbecoming the practice of "identity politics" is - i.e. gays voting for gays, blacks for blacks, etc. In this primary, if you are GLBT, it is in your own self-interest to vote for Pedersen because he has proven himself to be the best person to represent your interests in the matter of achieving equal civil rights and marriage equality. Voting in one's own self-interest is neither illogical nor politically incorrect - it is an imperative.

If more U.S. voters in both 2000 and 2004 had voted in their own self-interests, George W. Bush would now be clearing brush full time instead of disastrously steering us between Iraq and a hard place.

Oh, yeah, I got that WPC endorsement postcard for Dodson in the mail yesterday.

It was kind of funky and fun, actually. Didn't change my vote, cause I know all the candidates.

Main thing is vote early and vote often. If you have a Republican friend who wants to vote Bush, vote absentee and then go get them drunk so much they light their ballot on fire ...

Dogs - I agree. For instance, as a woman, I think that a legislative team representing the most Democratic district in the state that is made up of all white men would be a travesty and plan to vote for Dodson in the interest of representation. But I don't think there's a candidate in the mix who wouldn't be a fine legislator or who isn't extremely committed to GLBT (or women's, or environmental)issues. It would be more honest to say that you think that there should be more openly gay legislators in Olympia.

I'm confused by all the straight white males on the ballot. So many to choose from. Like ordering a sandwich at Denny's.

WPC's endorsement isn't a big coup in that race. They ALWAYS endorse a woman (sometimes I think to the detriment of women's issues).

I'm going to re-post something that was burried in an earlier comment. Jim Street and Dick Kelley have overlapping endorsements (from memory--Booth Gardner, Larry Gossett & Larry Phillips). Is it common for endorsers to endorse more than one candidate? Not that it matters--nobody gives a damn about individual endorsements.

Well, I once endorsed two candidates for city council, both friends, who ended up running for the same seat. It's not too difficult, in a six or seven way race for a seat, to endorse the two you think most qualified.

I've only endorsed one candidate in this race, Dick Kelley, but think highly of three of the candidates. All six are qualified, IMHO.

I'm curious how the Seattle Times does its endorsements. Does Blethen actually participate in that process? Or dictate it? Anyone know?

I think Blethen is an ass, and if he has anything to do with the Times' endorsement, then I would actually count it as a strike against the candidate.

Dodson has also been endorsed by Latino PAC of Washington, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, and Lolo Diklo - Roma Against Racism. In addition to the Washington State Labor Council, she's been endorsed by several dozen other labor groups, including teachers, nurses and firefighters. And on top of Women's Political Caucus, she's also been endorsed by NOW, and by Business & Professional Women. In addition, she's been endorsed by more current legislators than any other candidate - including those with stronger ties to politicians and the Democratic Party. And, hey, she's even been endorsed by Geov Parrish, in Eat the State! Add on the individual endorsements (www.lynnetowin.org) and it's clear that she's got the broadest, deepest group of endorsements of any of the candidates in the race.

This queer will not be voting for Jamie Pedersen. Although, I do want more openly queer representation in the gov. I'm not interested in a corporate lawyer.

Our community has a lot more to offer than that. And I have more issues than marriage equality on my mind, like health care, education, reproductive justice, immigrant rights, ending institutionalized racism, environmental justice etc.

These are all queer issues.

I'm voting for Lynne Dodson.

Seattle Times
Editorial Board:

Frank A. Blethen
Publisher and Chief Executive Officer

Robert C. Blethen
Vice President/Corporate Marketing

William K. Blethen
Treasurer and Corporate Risk Manager

James F. Vesely
Editorial Page Editor

Carolyn S. Kelly
President/Chief Operating Officer

Lee Moriwaki
Associate Editorial Page Editor/Op-ed

Ryan Blethen
Associate Editorial Page Editor

Joni Balter
Editorial Writer

Lance Dickie
Editorial Writer

Bruce Ramsey
Editorial Writer

Kate Riley
Editorial Writer

Lynne K. Varner
Editorial Writer

Sometimes identity politics works sometimes it doesn't. It comes down to who is going to be a good legislator. Just because a person is gay, black, a woman, etc means they will automatically be the best person to represent those issues. It really comes down to the individual.

I think Murray's making a smart choice. This is a clowncar primary with no clear standout candidate, so it's more prudent for Murray to stay mum, and simply support whoever comes out the winner, when they'll really need it for the forthcoming general election.

Uh... Gomez? There's not going to be a general election. In the 43rd, the dem primary is all she's gonna write. I don't believe an R is running, and if one was, there's no way an R would ever get elected. So the Dem primary decides the winner—endorsements post-primary in this race are worthless.

I clearly got a local race or three confused with one another. My bad.

Still, holy clown cars, Batman. Whoever wins will likely tow the party line. At least the SECB went for the candidate who stood out the most on the most issues and characteristics.

Having the “broadest, deepest group of endorsements of any of the candidates in the race� isn’t necessarily a good thing. Endorsements (and contributions) show which groups a candidate will be beholden to once elected. Dodson’s list makes me think she can’t make policy on her own and would be more interested in returning favors than solving problems. Especially concerning the teacher’s lobby.

The P-I and Stranger endorsements hold more weight and the P-I also mentions Stephanie Pure as “an impressive newcomer�. She seems to be the best in the bunch. Not beholden to conventional power brokers, not a one-issue candidate, smart as a tack, and ready to promote good policy in Olympia.