Top 2 Primary Ends Willard Candidacy

Dean Willard's attempt to finally have a Democrat representing the 5th LD in the State House came to an end Tuesday. Willard finished third to incumbent Republican Glenn Anderson and 2008 Democratic Challenger David Spring in last Tuesday's top 2 primary. Willard, in his first run for public office was ahead on fundraising and endorsements--he pretty much campaigned against Anderson rather than Spring, a candidate who generally runs on a shoestring budget.

Democrat Greg Hoover is challenging incumbent Republican Jay Rodne for the other State House position.

Hoover, Willard Nominated And Endorsed For Legislative Positions

The 5th District Democrats have nominated and endorsed Greg Hoover (top picture) to run for position 1, in the State House Of Representatives in that district. The position is currently held by Republican Jay Rodne. Telecom Consultant Dean Willard (lower picture) was chosen over North Bend teacher David Spring to run for position 2 against GOP incumbent Glen Anderson. The 5th District includes parts of Maple Valley, Issaquah, Renton, Sammamish, Preston, Fall City, And North Bend. While Democrats have won victories in nearby districts formerly belonging to Republicans, Democrats in the 5th have yet to taste a recent victory.

David Spring Will Run In 5th District

North Bend teacher David Spring has announced that he will make his second run for the Washington State Legislature. Spring says that he will for the 5th District House seat now held by Republican Glenn Anderson. Spring is a Democrat. Sammamish telecom consultant Dean Willard, also a Democrat, has also declared his candidacy for that position.

5th Legislative Democrats Starting To See Pay-Off

Democrats in Washington's 5th Legislative district are very familiar with the bitter taste of defeat. While Democrats have won at least one seat in every other district in King County, the 5th which includes Issaquah, Sammamish, North Bend, Maple Valley and Black Diamond, has continued to send an all Republican slate. According to an article in today's Seattle Times, Democratic gains on the Eastside may have finally filtered down to the 5th. The article recognized the efforts of District Chair Hank Thomas, a former Issaquah City Councilman.

When Thomas took the helm of the 5th District Democrats two years ago, he had fewer than 30 precinct committee officers — community members in charge of canvassing their neighborhoods and building support for candidates. That number has grown to nearly 70, and by the beginning of next year, Thomas expects to have more than 100.

The article mentioned legislative candidate David Spring. When Spring began his campaign he was traveling a lonely road, the House Democratic Caucus wanted nothing to do with the district. Spring was not deterred and ran with what little he had. He wound up taking 49 percent of the vote against seemingly entrenched GOP opponent Glenn Anderson. The 5th has two other outstanding candidates in Jon Viebrock running for Jay Rodne's House seat and Phylis Huster, running for State Senate.

David Spring will be holding a meet and greet tomorrow (September 28th) at Beaver Lake Lodge, 25101 SE 24th Street Sammamish.

5th District Democrats Launch Full Slate Of Candidates

If Senator Cheryl Pflug, Representative Jay Rodne, and Representative Glenn Anderson think that they are going to have an easy time being returned to represent the MapleValley-Issquah-Sammamish-Fall City area in the Washington State Legislature, they could be mistaken. The turnout in Democratic Caucuses throughout the 5th District was even higher than it was in 2004 and three super candidates have come forward to challenge the three Republican incumbants.
Phyllis Huster will challenge Cheryl Pflug for State Senate, having experience in the Telecom Field. David Spring, a North Bend educator, will run for State House Of Representives against veteran incumbant Glenn Anderson for position 2. Jon Viebrock, a Union Construction Foreman, will take on Jay Rodne for position 1 in the House.
Although the 5th has traditionally been a solid Republican district, Democrats have made serious inroads in local elections.
I'll have more on these candidates in the next few weeks.