A devastating new ad by GOPAC will begin running on Comcast Cable in the 47th Legislative District. The ad features women asking Simpson to step down from office to seek help for his domestic violence issues.
Simpson was charged last week with gross misdemeanor assault for an incident involving his ex-wife in May:
|
|
|---|
Showing posts with label 47th Legislative District. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 47th Legislative District. Show all posts
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
King County Republicans Call for Rep. Geoff Simpson's Resignation
Washington state Rep. Geoff Simpson (D-Covington) made an appearance in Seattle Municipal Court yesterday where he was charged with gross misdemeanor assault for an incident involving his ex-wife at Seattle Children's Hospital on May 22. According to the Covington Reporter:
Simpson plead not guilty.
Simpson's ex-wife also filed for a protection order against Simpson on May 27, which was granted; the third such order has been filed against Simpson.
These charges (Simpson was arrested for domestic violence in 2008 but the charges were dropped) have prompted the King County Republican Party to call for Simpson's resignation. KCGOP chair Lori Sotelo stated in a press release that Washington Democrats are not calling for Simpson to resign for fear of losing his seat in the hotly-contested 47th Legislative District.
“The loudest message in the continuing saga of Geoff Simpson is the silence from Democratic leadership in the state House and state Democratic Party,” said Sotelo. “Tolerance should never apply to domestic violence issues. Simpson has a history of aggressive behavior and obviously doesn’t have the sound judgment to know when he’s disqualified from serving in public office.”
The police report stated Simpson entered his daughter's room at the hospital after she requested he not visit her. The daughter was recovering from surgery that occurred May 19.
In the police report Simpson's ex-wife stated she tried to stop him outside the room and he "pushed her out of the way and back into the room." According to the report the ex-wife stated he used the door to force her out of the room. The ex-wife stated in the report he then, "barricaded the door and shut the blinds."
The police report stated a social worker described the incident to the Seattle police officer as the ex-wife did
Simpson plead not guilty.
Simpson's ex-wife also filed for a protection order against Simpson on May 27, which was granted; the third such order has been filed against Simpson.
These charges (Simpson was arrested for domestic violence in 2008 but the charges were dropped) have prompted the King County Republican Party to call for Simpson's resignation. KCGOP chair Lori Sotelo stated in a press release that Washington Democrats are not calling for Simpson to resign for fear of losing his seat in the hotly-contested 47th Legislative District.
“The loudest message in the continuing saga of Geoff Simpson is the silence from Democratic leadership in the state House and state Democratic Party,” said Sotelo. “Tolerance should never apply to domestic violence issues. Simpson has a history of aggressive behavior and obviously doesn’t have the sound judgment to know when he’s disqualified from serving in public office.”
Friday, July 16, 2010
Road to Olympia: The Front Lines
This is the second in a series of articles on this fall’s Washington state legislative races.
I have been hearing a lot about how voters are angry and that there is an anti-incumbent mood in the land. Gallup recently reported that conservative enthusiasm is at its highest since 1994.
The 47th Legislative District in southeast King County, part of the sprawling suburban "Crescent" lying to the east of Seattle, is regarded as a key for Republicans to take back in order to reduce the Democratic supermajorities in both houses of the state legislature. It's a swing district, going for Barack Obama and Dino Rossi in 2008.
Last Sunday evening, I joined Nancy Wyatt, a Republican running for the state house in the Washington 47th Legislative District, as she went doorbelling to see for myself.
Nancy and I went to a quiet, tree-lined subdivision of older, but well-maintained, homes in Covington. We knocked on dozens and dozens of doors (Nancy, the President/COO of the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce is a dynamo) of homes set in cul-de-sacs with manicured lawns which are owned mostly by young working class families with children. This is Boeing Country.
Seahawks and Mariners bumper stickers were in abundance on cars. As we walked, one could hear the buzz of lawnmowers and the hiss of sprinklers. Nancy joked that typically her targeted homes had an American flag and a Smith Brothers Farms porch box out front. She was right. Many of them did.
The very first home we went to, the gentleman asked Nancy what she thought the proper role of government was. Nancy answered that is should be limited, with government only providing necessary infrastructure. He seemed pleased with her answer. “Wow,” I thought. “Is is it going to be like this the whole time?” It was.
Many people who answered the door seemed relieved to read Nancy’s flyer to see that she was a Republican. One person specifically asked “R or D?” He was pleased that it was the former.
We spoke to another man and his wife on the sidewalk. He asked, “Are you GOP? Because I wouldn’t have taken this [flyer] if you had been a Democrat.” As we walked away, I could hear the man tell his wife, “I’m not a Republican. I’m not a Democrat. I’m the American Party, whatever that is.”
Another voter, a fan of Glenn Beck, said he was sick and tired of Rep. Geoff Simpson, and that many of his neighbors were as well. And here’s a tip for Democrats. Don’t be so sure having I-1098 on the ballot is going to help you this fall. This man told us that if it passes, he and his wife will leave the state, probably for Texas. He knows many other families that feel the same way. A state income tax, even if it doesn’t directly affect them, is seen as the last straw for some Washingtonians who have otherwise tolerated decades of Democratic misrule.
Geoff Simpson is in a lot of trouble, and not just with the law.
I have been hearing a lot about how voters are angry and that there is an anti-incumbent mood in the land. Gallup recently reported that conservative enthusiasm is at its highest since 1994.
The 47th Legislative District in southeast King County, part of the sprawling suburban "Crescent" lying to the east of Seattle, is regarded as a key for Republicans to take back in order to reduce the Democratic supermajorities in both houses of the state legislature. It's a swing district, going for Barack Obama and Dino Rossi in 2008.
Last Sunday evening, I joined Nancy Wyatt, a Republican running for the state house in the Washington 47th Legislative District, as she went doorbelling to see for myself.
Nancy and I went to a quiet, tree-lined subdivision of older, but well-maintained, homes in Covington. We knocked on dozens and dozens of doors (Nancy, the President/COO of the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce is a dynamo) of homes set in cul-de-sacs with manicured lawns which are owned mostly by young working class families with children. This is Boeing Country.
Seahawks and Mariners bumper stickers were in abundance on cars. As we walked, one could hear the buzz of lawnmowers and the hiss of sprinklers. Nancy joked that typically her targeted homes had an American flag and a Smith Brothers Farms porch box out front. She was right. Many of them did.
The very first home we went to, the gentleman asked Nancy what she thought the proper role of government was. Nancy answered that is should be limited, with government only providing necessary infrastructure. He seemed pleased with her answer. “Wow,” I thought. “Is is it going to be like this the whole time?” It was.Many people who answered the door seemed relieved to read Nancy’s flyer to see that she was a Republican. One person specifically asked “R or D?” He was pleased that it was the former.
We spoke to another man and his wife on the sidewalk. He asked, “Are you GOP? Because I wouldn’t have taken this [flyer] if you had been a Democrat.” As we walked away, I could hear the man tell his wife, “I’m not a Republican. I’m not a Democrat. I’m the American Party, whatever that is.”
Another voter, a fan of Glenn Beck, said he was sick and tired of Rep. Geoff Simpson, and that many of his neighbors were as well. And here’s a tip for Democrats. Don’t be so sure having I-1098 on the ballot is going to help you this fall. This man told us that if it passes, he and his wife will leave the state, probably for Texas. He knows many other families that feel the same way. A state income tax, even if it doesn’t directly affect them, is seen as the last straw for some Washingtonians who have otherwise tolerated decades of Democratic misrule.
Geoff Simpson is in a lot of trouble, and not just with the law.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Road to Olympia: The Millennials
This is the first in a series of articles on this fall’s Washington state legislative races.
Democrats currently enjoy 60% plus supermajorities in both houses of the Washington legislature. Republican candidates across the state are aiming to undo this and restore balance in Olympia.
The road to Olympia for these Republicans runs through two key suburban swing legislative districts: the 6th in Spokane and the 47th in King County. I will be covering the Republican races in these two districts extensively between now and November.
The Millennials (voters aged 18-29) were considered a key demographic in the 2008 election of Barack Obama. But the continuing recession has soured many Millennials, who face unemployment at much higher rates than their elders. They fret over deficits and most don’t think they will be better off than their parents. In other words, many Millennials don’t think Obama and the Democrats have lived up to their promise of hope and change.
A recent Harvard Institute of Politics study found that among Millennials who voted for Obama, only 44% plan to vote in this year’s midterm elections versus 53% of McCain voters. Among Republican Millennials, 41% say they will definitely be voting versus 35% of Millennial Democrats.
This enthusiasm gap was widely evident at last Sunday’s Kent Cornucopia Days parade.
29-year old Joe Fain, Republican candidate for the Washington Senate in the 47th Legislative District, had some three dozen supporters walking with him during the parade. Most were young, and all were enthusiastic. The same could not be said of Fain’s opponent, Sen. Claudia Kauffman, who had about half the number of supporters as Joe.
Republican 47th LD House candidate Mark Hargrove had nice contingent on hand for the parade:
Here is Republican 47th LD House candidate Nancy Wyatt:
Attention residents of Eastern Washington. Rep. Susan Fagan (R-Pullman) was on hand walking in the parade with Nancy Wyatt. Tired of Seattle liberals calling all the shots? You can’t vote in King County, but you sure can donate and volunteer for Republicans running for office in King County. Get busy!
Democrats currently enjoy 60% plus supermajorities in both houses of the Washington legislature. Republican candidates across the state are aiming to undo this and restore balance in Olympia.
The road to Olympia for these Republicans runs through two key suburban swing legislative districts: the 6th in Spokane and the 47th in King County. I will be covering the Republican races in these two districts extensively between now and November.
The Millennials (voters aged 18-29) were considered a key demographic in the 2008 election of Barack Obama. But the continuing recession has soured many Millennials, who face unemployment at much higher rates than their elders. They fret over deficits and most don’t think they will be better off than their parents. In other words, many Millennials don’t think Obama and the Democrats have lived up to their promise of hope and change.
A recent Harvard Institute of Politics study found that among Millennials who voted for Obama, only 44% plan to vote in this year’s midterm elections versus 53% of McCain voters. Among Republican Millennials, 41% say they will definitely be voting versus 35% of Millennial Democrats.
This enthusiasm gap was widely evident at last Sunday’s Kent Cornucopia Days parade.
29-year old Joe Fain, Republican candidate for the Washington Senate in the 47th Legislative District, had some three dozen supporters walking with him during the parade. Most were young, and all were enthusiastic. The same could not be said of Fain’s opponent, Sen. Claudia Kauffman, who had about half the number of supporters as Joe.
Republican 47th LD House candidate Mark Hargrove had nice contingent on hand for the parade:
Here is Republican 47th LD House candidate Nancy Wyatt:
Attention residents of Eastern Washington. Rep. Susan Fagan (R-Pullman) was on hand walking in the parade with Nancy Wyatt. Tired of Seattle liberals calling all the shots? You can’t vote in King County, but you sure can donate and volunteer for Republicans running for office in King County. Get busy!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
ONE-ON-ONE: Mark Hargrove, Republican Candidate for Washington House of Representatives
As part of 47th Legislative District Week, today we meet Mark Hargrove, who is running for a second time against Rep. Geoff Simpson (D-Covington,) who is in the news again for domestic violence. Hargrove lost by less than 3,000 votes to Simpson in 2008.
Hargrove is an Air Force Academy graduate and veteran Air Force pilot. He has lived in the Covington area for the last 21 years. Mark currently works for Boeing as an instructor pilot, teaching from around the world how to fly their new 777's and 747's.
TF: My first question is what inspired you to run for the State House this year?
Mark Hargrove: I ran for this same seat in 2008, and all of my reasons for choosing to run then apply to my decision to run this year. The incumbent is woefully out of step with the vast majority of my neighbors. For example, when Legislature voted to reinstate I-747 (which limited property tax increases to one percent per year), only eight Representatives voted nay. Six of them were the most liberal Seattle Democrats; another was my opponent. Kent, Covington, Auburn, and Black Diamond may not be as conservative as parts of Eastern Washington, but there is no way this district is anywhere close to as liberal as Seattle. Seeing how poorly we were being represented in Olympia, and realizing that nobody else was going to step up and run, I decided to jump in.
Unfortunately, my campaign in 2008 came up just short, so we are just as poorly represented in Olympia now as we have been for the past 10 years. Thus, the failures of our current elected leaders remain a primary inspiration for my race this year. But now, an additional motivation is finishing the fight I began. The incumbent I challenged has unions and tribes in his back pocket and his retributive style scares away many others from supporting his opponents. By the end of our 2008 race, he had spent eight times as much as I had. Despite this, and the fact that I ran at the height of “Obama Mania,” I still received 47.5 percent of the vote. Hence, “finishing what I started” has been a special inspiration for my race this year.
TF: Give me three of the top issues that you are running on this year.
Mark Hargrove: I believe the most important issues of the moment are all related to the economy—cutting spending, cutting taxes, and creating jobs. That’s not to say our education system doesn’t need reforming, or public safety is not important to me, or traffic congestion doesn’t need to be relieved. But the state unemployment rate is over nine percent and rising, the state budget has increased 72 percent on my opponents watch, and just last session the incumbent voted to increase taxes on bottled water, candy, pop, beer, and, most harmful of all, small businesses. Therefore, it is imperative that we get legislators in Olympia who will reign in spending, stop raising taxes, and create permanent, well-paying, private sector jobs.
TF: Contrast yourself with your opponent, Geoff Simpson.
Mark Hargrove: I’ve hinted at some of the contrasts already. He voted against limiting property taxes, he voted to suspend I-960 (thereby making it easier for him to conceal all of his other votes to raise taxes), and this year voted to approve all but one tax package presented to the Legislature. On the other hand, I am the only candidate in the race to sign the “Taxpayer Protection Pledge,” promising never to vote to raise taxes.
As I also mentioned before, the state budget has increased 72 percent while my opponent has been in the Legislature. I would approach the state budget like a family approaches its budget. Families can’t spend money first, then worry about where that money will come from later. But that’s exactly how the Legislature, including my opponent, has treated the state budget, and that needs to be changed.
Another difference that can’t be overlooked is our respective attitudes toward Boeing. Boeing is by far the largest employer in the 47th district, and many more individuals work for subcontractors dependent upon Boeing contracts. You don’t have to be a Boeing employee, like I am, to recognize what a crucial role the company plays in the local economy. Keeping those jobs in-state is a paramount concern. But my opponent takes a very combative stance toward Boeing, practically daring them to move elsewhere. That approach is quite dangerous, and it’s not one I would take in the Legislature.
We also have radically different personalities. There are plenty of accounts of my opponent reacting angrily to constituents he disagrees with. Just in his last term, he has sent emails taunting a woman for her Christian beliefs and using an obscene term to refer to the “Tea Party.” I’m far from perfect but I try to live my life with integrity. I’ve been married to my wife for 31 years, I’m active in my church, and I spend every free moment with my family (who are thankfully my biggest supporters).
TF: Speaking of your district, the 47th Legislative District is considered a swing district. What are you hearing from voters out there? Obviously you’ve been out there doorbelling and talking to folks. What are you hearing from them? What are they concerned about this year?
Mark Hargrove: I’ve heard an incredible number of thoughts, ideas, and complaints on doorsteps this year. Of course that’s bound to happen when you doorbell over 9,000 houses personally, as I have. But certainly the most common issue brought up pertains to the economy. Seemingly everybody knows someone who has lost their job recently, and everybody is affected when the Legislature raises taxes. That’s why my top issues this year are creating jobs, cutting taxes, and, so we don’t run a deficit, cutting spending.
TF: One last question. Can you tell me about the 2008 campaign and how is this year's campaign going?
Mark Hargrove: As I talked about earlier, I came remarkably close to winning in 2008. My opponent raised more money than nearly every other candidate in the state, he sent out a dozen glossy mailers to the whole district, and advertised on television. I had no TV ads and sent only three mail pieces, but that year I personally doorbelled 6,500 houses and had an army of volunteers doorbell another 5,000 on my behalf. This grassroots effort helped me get 47.5 percent of the vote against a four-term incumbent running in a huge Democrat year.
Comparing this race to the last, my campaign is in even better shape. I have already visited 9,000 houses myself, far surpassing my 2008 totals. My campaign has also been running ads on cable TV since the spring. And thankfully for Republicans, this is shaping up to be a better cycle overall than 2006 and 2008. Most importantly, having been so close to winning two years ago, I am excited, energized, motivated, and looking forward to winning in November.
I will catch up with Mark at tomorrow's Kent Cornucopia Days parade and hopefully get some comments from him and his supporters.
The voters of the 47th LD have two excellent alternatives to ultra-leftist Geoff Simpson in Nancy Wyatt and Mark Hargrove!
Hargrove is an Air Force Academy graduate and veteran Air Force pilot. He has lived in the Covington area for the last 21 years. Mark currently works for Boeing as an instructor pilot, teaching from around the world how to fly their new 777's and 747's.
TF: My first question is what inspired you to run for the State House this year?
Mark Hargrove: I ran for this same seat in 2008, and all of my reasons for choosing to run then apply to my decision to run this year. The incumbent is woefully out of step with the vast majority of my neighbors. For example, when Legislature voted to reinstate I-747 (which limited property tax increases to one percent per year), only eight Representatives voted nay. Six of them were the most liberal Seattle Democrats; another was my opponent. Kent, Covington, Auburn, and Black Diamond may not be as conservative as parts of Eastern Washington, but there is no way this district is anywhere close to as liberal as Seattle. Seeing how poorly we were being represented in Olympia, and realizing that nobody else was going to step up and run, I decided to jump in.
Unfortunately, my campaign in 2008 came up just short, so we are just as poorly represented in Olympia now as we have been for the past 10 years. Thus, the failures of our current elected leaders remain a primary inspiration for my race this year. But now, an additional motivation is finishing the fight I began. The incumbent I challenged has unions and tribes in his back pocket and his retributive style scares away many others from supporting his opponents. By the end of our 2008 race, he had spent eight times as much as I had. Despite this, and the fact that I ran at the height of “Obama Mania,” I still received 47.5 percent of the vote. Hence, “finishing what I started” has been a special inspiration for my race this year.
TF: Give me three of the top issues that you are running on this year.
Mark Hargrove: I believe the most important issues of the moment are all related to the economy—cutting spending, cutting taxes, and creating jobs. That’s not to say our education system doesn’t need reforming, or public safety is not important to me, or traffic congestion doesn’t need to be relieved. But the state unemployment rate is over nine percent and rising, the state budget has increased 72 percent on my opponents watch, and just last session the incumbent voted to increase taxes on bottled water, candy, pop, beer, and, most harmful of all, small businesses. Therefore, it is imperative that we get legislators in Olympia who will reign in spending, stop raising taxes, and create permanent, well-paying, private sector jobs.
TF: Contrast yourself with your opponent, Geoff Simpson.
Mark Hargrove: I’ve hinted at some of the contrasts already. He voted against limiting property taxes, he voted to suspend I-960 (thereby making it easier for him to conceal all of his other votes to raise taxes), and this year voted to approve all but one tax package presented to the Legislature. On the other hand, I am the only candidate in the race to sign the “Taxpayer Protection Pledge,” promising never to vote to raise taxes.
As I also mentioned before, the state budget has increased 72 percent while my opponent has been in the Legislature. I would approach the state budget like a family approaches its budget. Families can’t spend money first, then worry about where that money will come from later. But that’s exactly how the Legislature, including my opponent, has treated the state budget, and that needs to be changed.
Another difference that can’t be overlooked is our respective attitudes toward Boeing. Boeing is by far the largest employer in the 47th district, and many more individuals work for subcontractors dependent upon Boeing contracts. You don’t have to be a Boeing employee, like I am, to recognize what a crucial role the company plays in the local economy. Keeping those jobs in-state is a paramount concern. But my opponent takes a very combative stance toward Boeing, practically daring them to move elsewhere. That approach is quite dangerous, and it’s not one I would take in the Legislature.
We also have radically different personalities. There are plenty of accounts of my opponent reacting angrily to constituents he disagrees with. Just in his last term, he has sent emails taunting a woman for her Christian beliefs and using an obscene term to refer to the “Tea Party.” I’m far from perfect but I try to live my life with integrity. I’ve been married to my wife for 31 years, I’m active in my church, and I spend every free moment with my family (who are thankfully my biggest supporters).
TF: Speaking of your district, the 47th Legislative District is considered a swing district. What are you hearing from voters out there? Obviously you’ve been out there doorbelling and talking to folks. What are you hearing from them? What are they concerned about this year?
Mark Hargrove: I’ve heard an incredible number of thoughts, ideas, and complaints on doorsteps this year. Of course that’s bound to happen when you doorbell over 9,000 houses personally, as I have. But certainly the most common issue brought up pertains to the economy. Seemingly everybody knows someone who has lost their job recently, and everybody is affected when the Legislature raises taxes. That’s why my top issues this year are creating jobs, cutting taxes, and, so we don’t run a deficit, cutting spending.
TF: One last question. Can you tell me about the 2008 campaign and how is this year's campaign going?
Mark Hargrove: As I talked about earlier, I came remarkably close to winning in 2008. My opponent raised more money than nearly every other candidate in the state, he sent out a dozen glossy mailers to the whole district, and advertised on television. I had no TV ads and sent only three mail pieces, but that year I personally doorbelled 6,500 houses and had an army of volunteers doorbell another 5,000 on my behalf. This grassroots effort helped me get 47.5 percent of the vote against a four-term incumbent running in a huge Democrat year.
Comparing this race to the last, my campaign is in even better shape. I have already visited 9,000 houses myself, far surpassing my 2008 totals. My campaign has also been running ads on cable TV since the spring. And thankfully for Republicans, this is shaping up to be a better cycle overall than 2006 and 2008. Most importantly, having been so close to winning two years ago, I am excited, energized, motivated, and looking forward to winning in November.
I will catch up with Mark at tomorrow's Kent Cornucopia Days parade and hopefully get some comments from him and his supporters.
The voters of the 47th LD have two excellent alternatives to ultra-leftist Geoff Simpson in Nancy Wyatt and Mark Hargrove!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Rep. Geoff Simpson Accused of Domestic Violence....Again
This week is 47th Legislative District Week here at Palousitics. And one of the current Democrats representing the 47th in the Washington House of Representaives has just been accused of domestic violence for the second time in two years:
Guilty or not, Simpson's domestic violence charges are a continual distraction. 47th LD voters deserve better.
In a statement, Simpson denies the charges and predictably blames it on politics (no doubt the "teabaggers" are behind it all.)The Seattle City Attorney's office today charged Rep. Geoff Simpson, D-Covington, with one count of assault stemming from an alleged incident of domestic violence at Seattle Children's Hospital on May 22.
Simpson is accused of pushing his ex-wife as she tried to stop him from entering a hospital room where their young daughter was recovering from surgery.
Once he got inside the ex-wife said she tried to open the door and go in and he “pushed her out of the room and used the door to force her all the way out,” according to a Seattle police report.
A social worker told police she saw Simpson “barrel” into the room, push the former wife and shut the door.
He “closed the blinds and barricaded himself inside using his body” and was yelling inside, according to the report. Once he came out, he left the property, witnesses said.
Simpson denied wrongdoing and issued a statement today which you can read below. Friction between Simpson and his ex-wife drew cops to their home in 2008 where Simpson was arrested but never charged for alleged domestic violence.
Guilty or not, Simpson's domestic violence charges are a continual distraction. 47th LD voters deserve better.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
ONE-ON-ONE: Joe Fain, Republican Candidate for Washington State Senate
.jpg)
As part of 47th Legislative District Week, I interviewed Joe Fain, the Republican candidate who is facing off against incumbent Sen. Claudia Kauffman (D-Kent.) Fain received a BA from the University of Washington and an MBA and a law degree from Seattle University. He is currently Chief of Staff for King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer.
Joe is very active in the community and sits on the foundation board of directors for Highline Community College and the board of Auburn Youth Resources, a nonprofit organization that provides treatment and counseling for at-risk youth throughout the region.
Joe is very active in the community and sits on the foundation board of directors for Highline Community College and the board of Auburn Youth Resources, a nonprofit organization that provides treatment and counseling for at-risk youth throughout the region.
You can read more about Joe at http://votefain.com/
TF: My first question is what inspired you to run for the Senate this year?
Joe Fain: First, I love public service. I come from a family who has prioritized public service. My parents have spent 84 years in serving kids in the public schools. I’ve worked for three branches of government here locally in King County. I enjoy the work and I enjoy the people.
I feel that the ideals that I’ve been fighting for of fiscal responsibility, of rationally working together across party lines to solve problems, and of all-around civic engagement have started to slip away in recent years. I felt that the only way that you can turn back the tide is to step forward and be willing to put yourself on the line to get it done. So, that’s why I chose to put my name on the ballot.
I was proud to have been encouraged and recruited by a lot of people in my community who over the last several years have asked me to do this. The one that I point to, probably in second place behind my fiancée, who was very encouraging for me to step forward and do this would be the former longtime senator from the 47th District, Steve Johnson, who is the co-chair of my campaign committee. He served three terms in the Senate from the 47th District. He has been my number one cheerleader in this endeavor.
TF: Give me three of the top issues that you are running on this year.
Joe Fain: The three issues are pretty cut and dry in this cycle. One, jobs, two, putting a rein on spending and creating a responsible budget, and three continuing to reform education so that it is “kid-focused” and not “bureaucracy focused.”
TF: Contrast yourself with your opponent Claudia Kauffman.
Joe Fain: Well, first on the issue of education Claudia was an opponent of a major piece of education reform that came through in the 2008 session. She believes that the status quo is the way to go in education and I do not.
She also voted to spend $800 million in new taxes this last legislative session. She is fiscally irresponsible. She is rated in recent years as a member of the “Billionaire’s Club” for legislators who sponsored or voted for new fees or taxes, one of the highest.
Her values just don’t match my district and my community.
TF: Speaking of your district, the 47th Legislative District is considered a swing district. What are you hearing from voters out there? Obviously you’ve been out there doorbelling and talking to folks. What are you hearing from them? What are they concerned about this year?
Joe Fain: They’re concerned about their job. A lot of districts in the Puget Sound, as I talk to other candidates and campaigns, the job situation in those districts are better than they are in my community. In my community, unemployment is very high. People have been without a job, in some cases, for six months, twelve months and beyond. There are very few people I come in contact with that can’t tell me a personal story about how they or their family has faced unemployment in recent years.
In the business community that I talk to, they are concerned about jobs too, from the standpoint of they were running 15-20 person operations two years ago, and they’re now running four or five person operations. They’re just trying to get by themselves.
So again, the number one issue here is economic revitalization and getting people the employment they need to take care of their families.
TF: One last question. You are a graduate of the inaugural class of the Jennifer Dunn Leadership Institute, as well as four others who are running for the Legislature this year. What can you tell me about the influence that has had on your campaign and how it’s helped you in running your campaign?
Joe Fain: I was very pleased that Attorney General McKenna reached out to me personally and asked me to be a part of the program’s inaugural year and inaugural class.
It provided me a plethora of skills, from leadership training to campaign training to issue training and communications/media training.
But I still say the most important thing that it provides students is a network; not only a network of people who have been there and done that in terms of campaigns that you can turn to for advice and help, but also a network of people who are going to be going through it at the same time you are. Just knowing that there are other people out there who are running for office that I now have close relationships with that are going through many of the same things that I am has been very helpful. You can and we often do talk with one another about how the race is going and it’s just nice to know that there is someone who is going through the same thing that you are.
And then finally, there are some incredible individuals and we have some incredible candidates that came out of that program. When we get to down to Olympia this fall, to have that established relationship and that established respect ahead of time is only going to help us work better together to affect the change we are all running to accomplish.
I'll be walking with Joe at the Kent Cornucopia Days parade this Sunday and will have photos and more comments from Joe and his supporters then.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
It's 47th Legislative District Week!
The key to restoring balance and fiscal responsibility to the Washington Legislature can be found in the vote-rich suburbs of eastern King County in an area known as the Crescent.
The 47th Legislative District is part of this Crescent, lying in southeast King County covering the Renton Highlands to the East Hill of Kent to Black Diamond.
Republican Joe Fain, the Chief of Staff for King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, is facing off in the 47th against incumbent Democratic state senator Claudia Kaufmann. Fain has said his campaign is focused on growing jobs and small business, controlling government spending, and improving public education.
Republican Nancy Wyatt, president of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, is taking on one of the biggest liberals in the Washington House of Representatives, Democrat Geoff Simpson, who was arrested in 2008 for domestic violence (the charges were later dropped.) Simpson, if you remember, also made the following angy comments about the Tea Party earlier this year:
Joe and Nancy are among five legislative candidates from the inaugural graduating class of the Jennifer Dunn Leadership Institute. The non-partisan, non-profit JDLI was formed last year to recruit and train leaders in Washington State who are committed to the principles of freedom, security, entrepreneurial free enterprise, and a return of conservative principles of governance. Students go through a rigorous six day course on how to fundraise, work with volunteers, and deal with the media. The essensce of the JDLI is to form a "farm team" for Washington Republicans similar to what the Institute for a Democratic Future does for statet Democrats.
All this week, I will be featuring interviews with Fain and Wyatt, as well as a story on the JDLI. Then this weekend, I will be doorbelling with Nancy and walking with Joe in the Kent Cornucopia Days parade and covering those events live.
If you want to help take back Olympia, you can do so by donating generously to Joe here and Nancy here.
UDPATE: Apparently the ultra-leftist Washington Bus Project has listed Simpson and Kaufmann as two of it's six priority candidates. If you remember, the Washington Bus Project hit Pullman last year with a "street art" spree, i.e. vandalism, that ended up with it's head Thomas Goldstein and his deputy Toby Crittenden arrested. That should tell you everything you need to know about Simpson and Kaufmann.
The 47th Legislative District is part of this Crescent, lying in southeast King County covering the Renton Highlands to the East Hill of Kent to Black Diamond.
I don't think it's patriotic to fly airplanes into buildings as one of your tea party members recently did. I find your movement to be infected with the same selfish, hate-spawned and dangerous ideas that have plagued civilization from time to time, only to be quelled when appeals to man's more patriotic attributes of selflessness, kindness, compassion and peace have prevailed.
Joe and Nancy are among five legislative candidates from the inaugural graduating class of the Jennifer Dunn Leadership Institute. The non-partisan, non-profit JDLI was formed last year to recruit and train leaders in Washington State who are committed to the principles of freedom, security, entrepreneurial free enterprise, and a return of conservative principles of governance. Students go through a rigorous six day course on how to fundraise, work with volunteers, and deal with the media. The essensce of the JDLI is to form a "farm team" for Washington Republicans similar to what the Institute for a Democratic Future does for statet Democrats.
All this week, I will be featuring interviews with Fain and Wyatt, as well as a story on the JDLI. Then this weekend, I will be doorbelling with Nancy and walking with Joe in the Kent Cornucopia Days parade and covering those events live.
If you want to help take back Olympia, you can do so by donating generously to Joe here and Nancy here.
UDPATE: Apparently the ultra-leftist Washington Bus Project has listed Simpson and Kaufmann as two of it's six priority candidates. If you remember, the Washington Bus Project hit Pullman last year with a "street art" spree, i.e. vandalism, that ended up with it's head Thomas Goldstein and his deputy Toby Crittenden arrested. That should tell you everything you need to know about Simpson and Kaufmann.
(1).jpg)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
