The following candidates and ballot measures are endorsed by Okanogan County Democrats. Candidates are listed in order from local to national, followed by ballot measures. Click here to visit our normal Home Page.
COUNTY
Albert Roberts, candidate for Okanogan County Commissioner, will bring a new voice to county government – backed by years of experience and leadership! His history shows that he listens to all points of view; works well with others and seeks solutions to problems. He has extensive experience in county offices: 22 years on the Okanogan County Planning Commission (the last 11 as chair); 11 years on the Okanogan Conservation District Board of Supervisors (currently auditor). Albert works directly with the state legislature to support our county landowners. Three years ago, he was elected treasurer of the Washington Association of Conservation Districts. http://www.okanogan.wa-democrats.net/albert/
STATE
Peter Goldmark, candidate for re-election as Commissioner of Public Lands. Goldmark, a life-long resident of Eastern Washington, has spent most of his career involved with agriculture, science, education, and public service. He holds a PhD. in molecular biology from UC Berkeley, and has served on numerous state boards related to agriculture, sustainable farming and biodiversity. http://petergoldmark.com/
Bob Ferguson, candidate for Washington State Attorney General, was first elected to the King County Council in 2003. In 2005, after the Council was reduced from 13 to 9 and Bob’s district was eliminated, Bob defeated another incumbent to win re-election. He ran unopposed in 2009. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, says that Bob Ferguson’s efforts as head of the Council’s Law and Justice Committee, are doing a “world of good for individuals, the criminal justice system, and public safety.” Learn more about Bob Ferguson at http://electbobferguson.com/index.php
Brad Owen, candidate for re-election as Lieutenant Governor. The Seattle Times, in endorsing Owen, said “His reputation for wielding a fair and bipartisan hand over the state Senate is much-needed . . . When the Legislature is not in session, Owen promotes trade, adding heft to international trade delegations. That’s a critical role for a trade-dependent state.” http://www.bradowen2012.com/welcome?page=/
Mike Kreidler, candidate for re-election as State Insurance Commissioner. A native of Tacoma, Kreidler was first elected as State Insurance Commissioner in 2000, and has distinguished himself in the area of health-care access, insurance and affordability. He also served in the U.S. Congress. http://mikekreidler.com/
Jim McIntire, candidate for re-election as State Treasurer. McIntire has served as State Treasurer since 2008. From 1998 thru 2008, McIntire served for ten years in the Washington State Legislature, where his legislative focus was fiscal sustainability and transparency. http://www.jimmcintire.com/
Troy Kelley, candidate for State Auditor, is currently a State Representative. Retiring State Auditor Brian Sonntag says, “Troy gets it! He’s the independent voice we need to ensure state dollars are focused on the right priorities. He’s unwavering in his work eliminating waste and holding government accountable, ensuring we have transparent government. We need his kind of leadership.” http://www.troykelley.com/
Kathleen Drew, candidate for election as Secretary of State. Drew, a former state senator from Issaquah, won the WSD’s nomination for Secretary of State at its nominating convention in June. She is the author of Washington State’s tough ethics in government law, and crafted legislation to establish the Puget Sound Partnership, a regional effort to clean up Puget Sound. http://kathleendrew2012.com/
Jay Inslee, candidate for Governor of Washington, is a fifth generation Washingtonian. Jay grew up in a middle-class family from White Center. He played competitive sports in school, and after graduating from Ingraham High School, married his high school sweetheart, Trudi. Jay and Trudi then spent nearly 20 years working and raising their three sons in the Yakima Valley. Jay first got into public service to fight for a new public high school in Selah in 1985, and in 1992 was elected to Congress from Eastern Washington. Jay later moved back to the Puget Sound area and was elected to Congress in 1998 where he served until resigning to run for governor. Learn more about Jay at: http://www.jayinslee.com/home.
STATE JUDICIAL
Sheryl Gordon McCloud, candidate for Supreme Court Justice Position 9, has extensive trial and appellate experience; hundreds of arguments to the Washington State Supreme Court and other appeals courts. She teaches Supreme Court advocacy to law students and practicing lawyers. For 28 years, Sheryl has been defending our Constitutional rights in the Washington Supreme Court and other appellate courts and is the best qualified candidate for this position. Lawyers nationwide seek her expertise and advice. http://www.mccloudforjustice.com
FEDERAL
Mary Baechler, candidate for United States Congress, Washington’s 4th Congressional District, said in a recent interview ”The voters are smart and they want us to go work across the aisle…They understand we’re one country.” She will work to preserve Social Security and Medicare; help the recovery and create jobs; (this will only happen with fair taxation); preserve women’s rights (and everyone’s rights) to full healthcare and equal pay. http://maryforcongress.org/
Rich Cowan, candidate for United States Congress, Washington’s 5th Congressional District, pioneered the acclaimed film and video production company North by Northwest Productions. As its CEO and President, Rich has worked with his partners to create sustainable jobs while bringing in millions of dollars spent on location in Eastern Washington. He will bring that same passion, dedication, excitement and enthusiasm to Congress, serving the people of Eastern Washington — not the lobbyists and political bosses in DC. http://richcowanforcongress.com
Maria Cantwell, candidate for re-election to the United States Senate, has amassed a record of accomplishment on a wide range of issues in her two terms in the U.S. Senate, and is a leader in the effort to create more family wage jobs in the United States. To read about her work on issues most important to Washington, go to http://www.cantwell.com/
Barack Obama, President of the United States. Elected in 2008, President Obama has led our country back from the precipice of financial ruin, passed comprehensive health-care legislation, eliminated the prohibition on gays and lesbians serving openly in the U.S. Military, ordered the removal of all U.S. troops from Iraq by 12/31/11, and a host of other accomplishments. Much work remains, including most importantly, creating more jobs for Americans. Contact President Obama or
Contact the Obama Campaign in our state.
BALLOT MEASURES
The following descriptions are excerpted from the Online Voters’ Guide at the website of the Secretary of State. View that guide for complete information.
Initiative Measure No. 1185 concerns tax and fee increases imposed by state government.
OUR RECOMMENDATION: Should this measure be enacted into law? NO
SUMMARY: This measure would restate existing statutory requirements that legislative actions raising taxes must be approved by two-thirds legislative majorities or receive voter approval, and that new or increased fees require majority legislative approval.
Initiative Measure No. 1240 concerns creation of a public charter school system.
OUR RECOMMENDATION: Should this measure be enacted into law? NO
SUMMARY: This measure would authorize up to forty publicly-funded charter schools open to all students, operated through approved, nonreligious, nonprofit organizations, with government oversight; and modify certain laws applicable to them as public schools.
Referendum Measure No. 74
OUR RECOMMENDATION: This bill should be: APPROVED
SUMMARY: The legislature passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6239 concerning marriage for same-sex couples, modified domestic-partnership law, and religious freedom, and voters have filed a sufficient referendum petition on this bill.
This bill would allow same-sex couples to marry, preserve domestic partnerships only for seniors, and preserve the right of clergy or religious organizations to refuse to perform, recognize, or accommodate any marriage ceremony.
Initiative Measure No. 502 concerns marijuana.
OUR RECOMMENDATION: Should this measure be enacted into law? YES
SUMMARY: This measure would license and regulate marijuana production, distribution, and possession for persons over twenty-one; remove state-law criminal and civil penalties for activities that it authorizes; tax marijuana sales; and earmark marijuana-related revenues.
Advisory Vote No. 1 (Engrossed Senate Bill 6635)
OUR RECOMMENDATION: This tax increase should be: MAINTAINED
SUMMARY: The legislature eliminated, without a vote of the people, a business and occupation tax deduction for certain financial institutions’ interest on residential loans, costing $170,000,000 in its first ten years, for government spending.