RNS Archive

Here I'll cover the statewide offices. Later this week, I'll tackle the issues such as the statewide Initiatives and Referendums and some of the district contests.

But here we go.

For Washington State Governor the Dem candidate is former Washington State Attourney General, Christine Gregoire.

The Republican is small business owner and former state Senator, Dino Rossi.

The Libertarian is Ruth Bennan.

Lawyer vs small business owner vs looney.

We've got one of the highest unemployment rates in the country and MD's running for the hills due to high insurance rates.

I'm going for Rossi. Plus, it'll be cool to have a Governor named Dino.

I don't know crap about the four folks running for Lt. Governor, but the Repub asks if I want Washington to be "A Prosperous State or A Welfare State". Gotta check the box with his name in it.

I'm going to want to keep the current (R) Secretary of State, Sam Reed. He's battled with low funds from the current Dem Governor and has modernized a good deal of the voting equipment here and I have no doubt he would act according to the law and in the peoples best interest should a 'Florida 2000' happen here. The Dem canidate looks like my crazy Aunt, Donna, and the Libertarian choice talks about the Diebold conspiracy in her statement.

Going with Reed.

I hate to say this, but I'm going to have to do some more research on the State Treasurer position. The incumbant, Democrat Mike Murphy, has done a good job, so far as I can tell, and I remember a story about him standing up to the Governor on something or other. I'm going to have to look that up and contemplate that before I make my decision.

The State Auditor position in Washington is basically a eunich behind a fancy desk. The Washington State Legislature castrated that position in the 70's and has never seen fit to restore the powers of that particular office. It doesn't really matter who Washingtonians put there, the person is powerless to do much but write memos.

But if Dino wins, I'd bet good money that he fights to restore that office. Hmmm, more research.

For State Attourney General, Rob McKenna is the only choice. Current AG and Gubenatorial candidate, Gregoire cost state taxpayers millions of dollars by farting around and missing filing deadlines on important cases. McKenna has more time in front of the bench than the other three candidates (Dem, Lib and Green) combined. I think he knows how to file a brief.

Incumbent Commisioner of Public Lands and former smoke jumper, Doug Sutherland, is the only choice for the job. Why even consider anyone else?

For the Non-Partisan Superintendant of Public Instruction I was a bit perplexed. Until I read the statement of Judith Billings. She calls 'No Child Left Behind' an unfunded federal mandate and comes out strongly against performance testing of teachers and standardized testing of students.

Non-Partisan my ass. Going with Terry Bergeson.

And last on the list of statewide offices is Insurance Commisioner.

Again, I don't know enough about any of these folks other than the incubant has done an OK job, so far as I can tell. More research is needed.