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Washington District 9 Rep. Joe Schmick has a commanding lead after the first round of ballots were counted in the state's top-two primary election.
Schmick, R-Colfax, has received 11,015 votes (61.7 percent) thus far in the race for his Position 1 seat. Challenger Tyana Kelley, D-Pullman, has garnered 5,792 votes (32.5 percent), and Green Party candidate Christopher Winter of Clarkston received 1,036 votes.
Whitman County voters also supported Schmick, who received 2,948 votes (63 percent) to Kelley's 1,462 votes (31 percent). Winter received 282 votes in Whitman County (6 percent).
Mail-in ballots had to be postmarked by Tuesday to be counted in the primary, and results from a second round of counting will be released Friday afternoon. The top two vote-getters will face each other in the Nov. 4 general election.
Schmick said he's pleased to receive so much support from people in his district.
"I think it's an affirmation that people are grateful for what I was able to accomplish for them," said Schmick, who was appointed to the position in November when David Buri stepped down to take a job with Eastern Washington University. "I don't think you can go through this and not be anxious, but I was very pleased."
Kelley also is excited about moving on to the general election.
"Everyone told me not to worry too much ... but I didn't want to discount any candidates, so I'm very happy," she said. "My goal in the primary was to move on, and I did."
Both candidates agreed the hard part is still ahead. They'll start the "parade season" Saturday at the National Lentil Festival in Pullman.
"I think we've been running a really strong campaign, and we want to continue doing what we've already been doing," Kelley said. "The more doors we can knock on and the more personal contact with voters we have, I think it will pay off in the end."
Schmick said he looks forward to the challenge leading up to the general election.
"It has been an honor to represent the people in the 9th District," he said. "I'm overwhelmed by how good the people are to work with. And I will continue to work hard for them."
The District 9 Position 1 seat was the only local race that featured more than two candidates.
In other contested races, newcomer Pat O'Neill, D-Colton, has received 584 votes (56 percent) in his bid to unseat Whitman County Commissioner Position 2 incumbent Jerry Finch, R-Pullman, who received 453 votes (44 percent).
District 9 Position 1 Rep. Steve Hailey, R-Mesa, received 11,315 (64 percent) to challenger Kenneth Caylor's 6,254 votes (36 percent). Caylor is a Democrat from Odessa. Their results in Whitman County were similar, with Hailey garnering 2,901 votes (63 percent) to Caylor's 1,678 votes (37 percent).
This is the state's first primary election under the top-two system, which was approved by 60 percent of Washington voters in 2004 and recently was upheld by a 7-2 ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court. It allows voters to pick one candidate for each office without regard to party.
According to Whitman County elections Web site, ballots have been received from 4,939 of the 18,928 registered voters in the county (26 percent) and 1,200 of them have yet to be counted.
State Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, and Democratic challenger Tyana Kelley made it over the first hurdle in their efforts to represent Washington's 9th Legislative District in Olympia for the next two years.
The two participated in the district's only contested race during Tuesday's primary election, seeking to fill the state House position 2 seat. Schmick is leading with 11,015 votes, or 62 percent of the ballots cast; Kelley, of Pullman, received 5,792 votes, or 32 percent. But a number of ballots mailed Tuesday still had to be counted.
Green Party candidate Christopher Winter, of Clarkston, was in third place with 1,036 votes, or 6 percent of the ballots cast, on his way to becoming a casualty of Washington's new top two primary rules. Historically, he would have advanced to the Nov. 4 general election regardless of the primary results, because he represents a different party than Schmick or Kelley. This year, however, only the two highest vote-getters advance.
Tuesday's election results came in the middle of harvest time for Schmick, who operates a farm in the Colfax area, where he grew up.
"I'm thankful for the support I've seen," he said. "I'm humbled by it. It's an honor to serve and represent the people. I hope I never lose that feeling."
Schmick, who was appointed to the Legislature last November, said he's traveled around the district trying to meet as many people as possible, and plans to keep at it during the general election campaign.
"Talking to people and listening to their concerns is what's put me in this position," he said. "I'm going to continue to do that."
Kelley is a board member and volunteer coordinator for the Pullman Civic Theatre. She grew up in a union family and hopes to represent working-class families in Olympia.
Tuesday's results "were pretty much to be expected," she said. "I was hoping for a closer spread, but I think we'll see a little fluctuation" as the remaining ballots are counted.
In addition to his lead at the vote count, Schmick also has a sizable advantage in campaign funding. As of July 31, he reported more than $35,000 in contributions, including funds rolled over from 2007. By comparison, Kelley had received $4,835.
"He has some significant backing, but I'm hoping my showing in the primary will convince more people to donate to my campaign," Kelley said. "The good news is, my biggest expense is going to be gas for driving around the district to meet people, and I have enough money to pay for that."
Winter, a sociology instructor who teaches online and live classes, could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.
Voters also cast ballots in two other 9th District races, although neither was contested.
Incumbent Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, is unopposed in November. In the district's House position one race, incumbent Rep. Steve Hailey, R-Mesa, will square off against Democrat Kenneth Caylor. Hailey was leading with 64 percent of the primary vote, compared to 36 percent for Caylor.
The 9th District covers the southeastern corner of Washington, from the Oregon border north to Cheney and as far west as Othello.
The county-by-county breakdown of the voting for position 2:
Adams County: Schmick, 73 percent; Kelley, 23 percent; Winter, 4 percent; voter turnout, 38 percent.
Asotin County: Schmick, 54 percent; Kelley, 39 percent; Winter, 7 percent; voter turnout, 41 percent.
Franklin County (partially in district): Schmick, 78 percent; Kelley, 19 percent; Winter, 3 percent; voter turnout, 25 percent.
Garfield County: Schmick, 74 percent; Kelley, 24 percent; Winter, 3 percent; voter turnout, 52 percent.
Spokane County (partially in district): Schmick, 59 percent; Kelley, 35 percent; Winter, 6 percent; voter turnout, 29 percent.
Whitman County: Schmick, 63 percent; Kelley, 31 percent; Winter, 6 percent; voter turnout, 26 percent.
Motorists in Whitman County during the days before the state’s Aug. 19 mail-in primary deadline can’t help but notice the attractive campaign signs posted for Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. She is seeking a third term as 5th district representative. The incumbent’s campaign seems to be picking up a full head of steam, and she’s predicted to nail down another term.
The Federal Elections Commission report as of July 31 puts the McMorris Rodgers campaign contributions at $1,083,675 with spending at $651,112.
A report in Sunday’s Lewiston Morning Tribune notes Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer are among top level corporate executives who have sent in money. General Dynamics and R.J. Reynolds execs also have sent contributions.
McMorris Rodgers in previous races has been a tough campaigner who covers the miles in her district. With her experience and staff, she appears to be a strong favorite to win another term, despite running in a year when the Republicans are predicted to sustain a setback.
However, this time around the campaign is different. The 5th district incumbent is in a race which really isn’t a race when compared to the last two rounds. Although other names are on the ballot, McMorris Rodgers doesn’t have a strong opponent.
The last time around she was challenged by Peter Goldmark of Okanogan. Goldmark, a member of a family with a hallowed link to the state’s Democratic party, cranked up a strong campaign with TV ads featuring his ranching family mixed with the normal Democratic themes.
Goldmark is now challenging incumbent Doug Sutherland for commissioner of public lands. As a Democrat, he figures to get strong party support on the west side of the state. That outlook contrasts with the 5th district which now has a distinct GOP-leaning electorate.
Two years prior to the Goldmark challenge, McMorris faced Don Barbieri, Spokane hotel executive who plowed a lot of his own money into the campaign.
This time around, McMorris Rodgers faces a lineup of political lightweights. While the Goldmark and Barbieri campaigns enrolled strong backing from the Democrats, the foes this time around don’t have the same credentials, or the same kind of money.
According to the Spokesman Review, Mark Mays, a Spokane psychologist and attorney, is seen as the top opposition candidate for the Democrats. Mays, as of July 31 has raised $43,939 and spent $33,464. Those kind of numbers mean not a lot of campaign signs along Whitman County highways and byways.
Of course, veteran 5th district voters have seen past campaigns when the incumbent pulled out all the stops with strong financial backing while facing lightweight opposition. Democrat Tom Foley waged power campaigns against Republican challengers who lacked name recognition, money and support for their own party. Foley, who advanced up the power ladder to be speaker of the house, could expect a stack of corporate contributions and those were used.
A money flow to incumbents is one of the hard facts in today’s politics. Those corporate contributions on the McMorris Rodgers donor list shouldn’t be considered as special for the 5th district. The donations are also on the lists of candidates around the country. The money flow has been criticized, but it’s the way of doing business in a world where decisions in congress can impact corporations and where candidates now need a lot of money to campaign, even when they don’t have to campaign.
Our View: Republican has proven himself in the 9th District
August 3, 2008
In 2006, when Joe Schmick ran for the state House of Representatives from District 9, he lost in a squeaker to Steve Hailey. The Colfax farmer and vending company owner thought he was done with politics. Schmick didn't know whether he possessed the time, energy or inclination to try again for state office.
Then, in a surprise move, Rep. Dave Buri – a rising star who occupied the district's other House seat in the Statehouse – left the Legislature to work for Eastern Washington University. Commissioners from the six counties that make up the 9th District appointed Schmick to take his place. He was appointed in late November 2007 and left for Olympia the next day to join a special session of the Legislature.
He was astonished at the learning curve, but he met the challenge, staying up late into the night to study bills and procedures. At the end of the session, he got high marks from colleagues for sponsoring two bills that passed. He did this as a newcomer – and a Republican in a House filled with Democrats.
The bills weren't headline grabbers, but they met the needs of the 9th District which is bigger, geographically, than Connecticut. Schmick sponsored legislation that will make it easier for rural high school students to find online Running Start-type college courses. Another bill prepared the way for an Asotin County cemetery district. Schmick also figured out how to get $115,000 for an elevator in the county library in Colfax.
He faces two challengers in the primary. Tyana Kelley, a Democrat, grew up in a Spokane family of Kaiser union workers. She lives in Pullman and hopes to "fight for working class families." This is her first foray into politics. Christopher Winter, of Clarkston, a Green Party candidate, has as his key issues a 30-hour work week and mandatory 30-day vacations for all full-time and part-time employees.
Schmick is the obvious endorsement choice here. When he was rewarded for running in 2006 with the appointment to his current seat, he got to work and learned his way through the maze that is the Washington state Legislature.
The Republican candidates were out in force at both parades. Each candidate had their own vehicle: either a gas-guzzling truck, or car with an equally big engine. In Albion we were put in the line to walk right in between all these vehicles. It was a bit intimidating. My opponent, Joe Schmick, had the biggest truck, a Ford F-350.I wonder if Tyana realizes that Joe is a farmer and needs that truck to farm? I wonder if she realizes that many of her potential voters also drive similar rigs for similar reasons?
These kinds of tactics, designed to divide the people of Washington state rather than unite us, are not what the legislative process should be focused on.Really?? As Chris Cargill at the KXLY blog points out:
While there may not be a beneficial reason to open such an inquiry, to say this isn’t what the legislative process is all about is laughable. What is the Washington legislative process about?No, the true business of the Democratic dictatorship in Olympia is simply to stay in power, no matter what it takes.
Is it about opening a legislative debate on impeaching the President, which the legislature has NO say in whatsoever?
Is the legislative process about trying to force a national change in the Electoral College system?
Is it about trying to secure a new Arena for the Seattle Supersonics?
Is it about trying to ban plastic bags?
Is it about banning the kind of dishwashing detergent people in Washington can use?
Is it about naming a frog the official state amphibian?
The legislature tackled all of these issues in its last session. So its pretty laughable when the Speaker of the House, in essence, claims the legislature has better things to do.
I said from the beginning that we are one Washington, and we’ve torn down the Cascade Curtain.- Queen Christine, "Major strides have been made in economy, education, health care," Tacoma News-Tribune, June 29, 2008
A collection of environmental groups is asking its supporters to thank Gov. Chris Gregoire "for standing up for our health, safety and our environment by raising concerns over nuclear wastes from a uranium enrichment plant," once proposed for Richland.- "Environmentalists praise Gregoire for raising concerns about Areva plant," Tri-City Herald, July 17, 2008
The "Cascade Curtain" is, at times, a frustrating fact of life for folks from Oroville to Asotin.Huh? Connelly had a pretty good list of our greivances going until he mentioned I-912. Two counties, with strong Democratic contingents, voting to reject I-912 is no "hole in the curtain" (but it should be a lesson to Whitman County voters that we empower liberal Seattleites by voting against initiatives like I-912 and I-933.) In fact, I-912 is a perfect demonstration of our frustration with one-party Seattle rule. In 2005, the public was scared into voting against I-912 , the initiative to repeal the 9 1/2 cent gas tax hike, by images of Hurricane Katrina and the 1989 Loma Prieto earthquake intermingled with the Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle. Three years later, after internecine squabbling between the Democratic governor and the Democratic mayor of Seattle, nothing has been done to fix the Viaduct and no plan for doing so has been put forth. And there is still no word on what the $1.6 billion earmarked from the "emergency" gas tax increase to replace the viaduct is going to be spent on.
Washington went nearly a decade without a statewide officeholder from Eastern Washington. The drought was broken last December as Gregoire named Spokane-based Judge Debra Stevens to the state Supreme Court.
Our last governor from Eastern Washington, Clarence D. Martin, left office in 1941. We haven't had a U.S. senator from east of the Cascades since C.C. Dill, "Father of Grand Coulee Dam," left office more than 70 years ago.
Yet, the "Cascade Curtain" has shown holes of late, doubtless to the anger of demagogues and dividers.
Initiative 912, a bid to roll back the state's gas tax increase, was defeated in 2005, with Whitman and Walla Walla counties joining the "Wet Side" of the mountains in voting for transportation.
Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, often has to hear west-side legislators preach about what eastern Washingtonians need. This session is no different.It's time for a change. It's time to re-elect Dino Rossi as Governor of Washington.
A bill to promote the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative in eastern Washington passed through the Senate Wednesday, though it received almost no support from eastern senators, Schoesler said.
"It concerns me that Seattle senators say they know what's best for eastern Washington," Schoesler said.
In politics it doesn’t matter which party is in control -- power does indeed corrupt. Washington state’s Democrats have now been in control for 24 years. That is a whole generation of the same politicians and their hacks; at this point they have become overconfident, condescending and arrogant. What follows are bad taste, rule bending and the shunning of ethics. Such is the case in Chris Gregoire’s campaign to hold on to her governorship -- or more precisely, a misguided attempt to be cute by the anti-Rossi attack machine.Well said. Read the whole thing.
[snip]
Perhaps the Democrats, confident of their death-grip on the state of Washington, do not feel subject to fairness, decency or good manners. They can do what they want -- Soprano style -- with little fear of voter retribution. Our hope is that Washington’s voters can see through the smoke and mirrors and locate the problem of too much power in one place for too long.
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