5th Legislative Candidates Meet In Maple Valley

As you would expect, transportation took center stage as candidates for state legislature of both parties met at Rock Creek Elementary School in Maple Valley, one of Seattle's most remote suburbs.  Candidates attending were Senator Mark Mullet (above left), house member and challenger Chad Magendanz (above right), Representative Jay Rodne (bottom left) and Challenger Jason Ritchie (above right).  Mullet was the first Democrat in 20 years to be elected from the 5th.   Democrat Ritchie is challenging incumbent Republican Jay Rodne.
Republican Paul Graves, who is running for Chad's open seat in the house, attended the forum, however, Darcy Burner was home with the flue.  Burner had her manager make a statement on her behalf. 
Topics were proposed Sound Transit expansion, education, taxes, and gun regulation.  They also tackled the subject of "predictive scheduling".  Local attorney Grifan Cayce, moderated the debate.  The three Republican candidates are attorneys.  Democrats Mullet, Ritchie, and Burner each own small businesses.  The event was sponsored by the Maple Valley Chamber Of Commerce.

Candidates For Legislature Will Debate Thursday

While the Clinton-Trump debates have been taking up the most attention, Maple Valley will get to see local candidates for 5th District Legislature.  The Maple Valley-Black Diamond Chamber Of Commerce will hold a candidate forum this Thursday, October 20th at 6:45pm at the Rock Creek Elementary School gym. 
Candidates for senate, Democratic Mark Mullet (top) will face off against Republican Chad Magendanz (bottom) who currently serves in the house.
Also Democrat Jason Ritchie will challenge long time Republican house member Jay Rodne.
Democrat Darcy Burner will face Republican Paul Graves for the house seat that is being vacated by  Magendanz.
This is a chance to support your candidate or for undecided voters to learn about these candidate's who potentially hold the future of our region in their hands.

Democrats Pack The House At Mount Si High School

It was a beautiful day, but Democratic delegate for Bernie Sanders and Hilary Clinton packed Mt Si High School in Snoqualmie for the 5th Legislative District Caucus.  The LD Caucus is the 2nd tier of the process of picking delegates to the Democratic National Convention in July.  Supporters of both Clinton and Sanders made passionate speeches, while a committee worked behind the scenes to credential the delegates.  The delegates then broke into the three Congressional districts that make up the 5th LD.  From each sub caucus, delegates for each presidential candidate picked delegate for the Congressional caucus and state convention, in proportion to the votes each candidate received in the precinct caucuses last month.  Simple enough?
Top picture is the 2 long lines to get into the caucus.  Middle picture is inside the caucus.  In the bottom picture,Democratic candidate for 5th district State House, Jason Ritchie addresses the delegates.  Ritchie is running against incumbent Jay Rodne.
Also speaking were 5th LD Senator Mark Mullet and 5th LD candidate for State House Darcy Burner.  Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson, who is also running for State House was also present.

Two Democrats Vie For 5th District House Position

For the first time in years, two democratic candidates will face each other in a bid to turn a legislative seat from the 5th Democratic.  The 5th Legislative District which includes the rural, but fast growing Southeast King County.  Chad Magendanz, who currently holds the seat, will challenge Democrat incumbent Mark Mullet for the Senate seat.
Darcy Burner of Ames Lake came with in a whisker hair of winning a seat in Congress.  She is passionate and makes no bones on her positions.  She emerged through a group known as NetRoots, a group of bloggers who expressed through technology, views that they felt where ignored by the mainstream media. 
Matt Larson is the current mayor of Snoqualmie, which has experienced unprecedented growth.  Larson talks about bringing consensus in the legislature.  He is endorsed by most of his fellow Eastside mayors and many party leaders.

5th LD Democrats Endorse Three Candidates For 1st

The 5th District Democrats have voted to endorse Darcy Burner, Suzan Del Bene, and Laura Ruderman in a sign of unity and to send a message that either of these candidates reflect the values of the district. Democrat Steve Hobbs, who had not actively appeared at any meetings of the 5th was not considered.
Ruderman, amid controversy of a negative ad campaign financed by a PAC which was formed by her mother, was present at the meeting as was Del Bene.  Although, Burner did not attend, her partisans seemed to be in full force.  Burner's husband Mike attended, although he did not speak in her favor.
A sole endorsement for Del Bene did not receive the required votes, however the next motion which did pass included her with the two other candidates.

Democratic Hopefuls for 1st CD Debate

Five Democratic Candidates for the open seat in the newly formed 1st Congressional District met at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Wednesday night to debate policy and show why they alone should carry the Democratic Banner.  The debate was the idea of Scott Williams and was sponsored by the 5th, 45th, and 48th Democrats.  Enrique Cerna was the host and Jim Brunner of the Seattle Times and Jerry Cornfield of the Everett Herald were on the panel.  Questions were taken from the audience as well as the two journalists.  While their views on policy were similar, there was plenty of difference in style.  My analysis:

1.  Laura Ruderman  A natural politician, she seems almost destined to serve in congress some day,  She is excellent on articulating the issues.  Served in the Washington State Legislature, so she would seem to have a leg up on making policy.  She is known as a tireless doorbeller.  Her early roots are on the East Coast and many people find her somewhat abrupt.  Healthcare seems to be her favorite issue.

2.  Steve Hobbs  A pleasant surprise, he also has legislative experience, currently serving in the State Senate.  He says that he is a lifelong resident of Snohomish County.  Considered rather Conservative, Hobbs says that he has endorsements from many different sides.  Hobbs was also very comfortable discussing issues.  He received a smattering of boos for saying that he supports charter schools, a stand that may be his undoing.  Hobbs says that Democrats need to have a moderate like him to keep the seat Blue.

3. Suzan Del Bene  A former Microsoft executive and a founder of other high tech companies, she did public service as director of the state Department Of Revenue.  She ran against Dave Reichert in 2010 for the 8th Congressional District, but it was a bad year to run as a Democrat, espessially against an entrenched Republican incumbant.  She is warm and apealing in a "one on one" situation, with excellent eye contact. It should also be noted that she has the endorsement of Governor Gregoire.  Wednesday's debate however was arguably not her best performance.

4. Darcy Burner  Without a doubt, the voice of the disenfranchised.  If you want to "rage against the machine", Darcy is your vessel.  The favorite of a network of political bloggers known as Netroots, she was this year's keynote speaker at Netroots Nation. She ran twice against Reichert in the 8th District, almost beating him on both occasions.

5. Darshan Rauniyar, In a perfect world he would be a great candidate.  A naturalized U.S. citizen from Nepal, he champions himself as the "non politician" saying that the American dream is dying.
He is involved in local business, however, in Wednesday's debate, I did see him as someone who would nescessarily be an agent of change. Although it may be difficult in today's political climate.

Democratic Candidates For !st Congressional District To Debate

The five Democratic candidates vying to replace Jay Inslee in the newly redrawn 1st Congressional District will face each other this Wednesday June 27th in a debate sponsored by 5th, 45th and 48th LD Democrats.  Suzan Delbene, Darcy Burner, Darshan Rauniyar, Laura Ruderman, and Steve Hobbs will spar over the right to carry the Democratic banner into the hotly contested race.  Both Del Bene and Burner have run for Congress in the past, Burner taking on Dave Reichert in the 8th CD in 2006 and 2008 and Del Bene doing the same in 2010.  Ruderman is a fomer member of the State House Of Representatives, while Hobbs in currently in the State Senate. Rauniyar is a newcomer, positioning himself, of course, as the outsider. 
The debate will take place at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center at 16600 NE 80th in Redmond from 7:30 until 9pm.  There will be no admission charged but donations will be asked for to cover expenses.

Burner Will Run In 1st Congressional Race

Darcy Burner, who ran twice unsuccessfully in Washington's 8th Congressional District, has announced that she will run again.   This time Burner will run for the House seat being vacated by Democrat Jay Inslee, who is now running for Governor. Representing the more urban areas on the Eastside, the 1st is considered an easier district for a Democrat to win. The problem for Burner, several Democrats, including the very seasoned former LegislatorLaura Ruderman, have announce their desire to run for that seat.   Burner, a former Microsoft executive, is one of the first Washington politicians to embrace new technology as it has pertained to campaigning. She has been very skilled at raising campaign funds through Netroots, a national network of liberal bloggers.

5th District Democrats Celebrate Long Hard Campaign

(top State Senate candidate Phyllis Huster with myself, middle 8th district Congressional Candidate Darcy Burner with Bob Scola, bottom 5th District LD Chair Hank Thomas with "Sarah" and another party goer)

There were some tough defeats, but mostly victories last Tuesday as the 5th District Democrats celebrated at the Tibbetts Creek Manor in Issaquah. One of the hits of the night, perhaps since Election Day is so close to Halloween, was a lady who came dressed up as Repubican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin. She not only resembled Governor Palin but had her voice and mannerisms. I'll try to post the video later.

Darcy Burner--John Ladenburg Appearing In Maple Valley

Washington State Democratic Candidates Darcy Burner and John Ladenburg will be in Maple Valley for a "meet and greet" this Thursday October 30th at 6:30 at the home of Reuben and Arlene Powell. Burner is running against Republican Congressman Dave Reichert for the 8th district congressional seat, and John Ladenburg is running against incumbent Rob McKenna for State Attorney General. To RSVP for this event and to get directions to the home of Reuben And Arlene, call Darcy Burner's office at 425-443-2564 or email at campaign@darcyburner.com

Darcy Burner Appears At Overlake Rotary

I am not a member of Rotary, but my Father-In-Law, Bob is president of the Overlake Chapter and was kind enough to allow me to be his guest as 8th district Darcy Burner was the featured speaker. Darcy grew up in the area in a military family, fascinated by computers. She attended Harvard on Technology and Economic scholarships. She say she wants to be in congress because she wants to fix things. Her speciality, and what she said she did at Microsoft, was analyzing problems. She talked of bringing bi-partisan groups together to solve the economic crisis and figure out an honorable way out of the Iraqi War.

Burner To Speak To Rotary

Democratic Congressional Candidate Darcy Burner will speak to the Overlake Rotary Of Bellevue this Wednesday in one of her last aprearance before the general election. The club has already heard from Burner's Republican rival Dave Reichert and both candidates for governor.

Democrats Meet In Maple Valley

Darcy Burner has been nominated by Democratic Precinct Committee Officers throughout Washington's 8th Congressional District. The PCO turnout was rather high at Maple Valley-Covington's Tahoma High School upon hearing that Darcy was indeed being challenged. Jim Vaughn was nominated from the floor and had a smart, not spellbinding speech. He was politely received, although when he said he was from the Conservative wing of the Democratic Party, his welcome grew a little cooler.
The 8th District Congressional Caucus followed where delegates from the Legislative Caucus picked delegates to go to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. I want to thank Patrick Byers for the picture and On The Road To 2008 for information about this weekends Convention and Caucus.

Washington 8th Congressional District PCOs To Meet

Democratic Precinct Committee officers from throughout Washington's 8th Congressional District will meet the this Saturday, May 17th at Tahoma High School at
18200 SE 240th St, Covington, WA with the purpose of nominating a candidate to oppose incumbant Republican Congressman Dave Reichert. Because of a recent Supreme Court decision taking partisanship out of the State Primaries, this is the only way that Darcy Burner or anyone opposing her can get the nomination of the Democratic Party. Sign in will begin at 8:00am with the Caucus beginning at 9:00am.

2007 In Review--King County Eastside Dinner Outburst

This exchange last fall between an Iraq War veteran and Congressional Candidate Darcy Burner at the normally civil Eastside dinner should give us a hint about what the political climate will be in 2008.

Rodney Tom Will Run For Congress

Believe it or not, before 1994, Washington's 4th and 5th Congressional District of Yakima and Spokane, respectively, sent Democratic representatives to Congress, not so for our 8th Congressional District. Since it's creation in 1990, this moderate Suburban Seattle district has only been represented by Republicans. Somehow, Rod Chandler, Jennifer Dunn, and now Sheriff Dave Reichert have shown at least the appearance of being bi-partisan. By that token, Rodney Tom is jumping into the race. Tom was a moderate Republican in the State House of Representatives, who jumped across the aisle and ran for State Senate as a Democrat, beating more strident Republican Luke Esser. Tom will now challenge Darcy Burner for the Democratic nomination. Burner last year, narrowly lost to Reichert. Tom thinks he can bring some of his supporters from campaigns past along with Democrats who think that Burner did not adequitely answer Republican charges of being too inexperienced in the public sector or who may be uncomfortable with some of her more Liberal views. I believe that the 8th Congressional District is the only one to have one party represent it thought it's entire existence (Seattle's 7th had Republican Jack Cunningham elected in a special election to replace Brock Adams in 1977), hopefully that little quirk will be changed in the next election cycle.

Ventrella May Sit Out Race

Sources now tell me that Tony Ventrella will not be a candidate for the 8th district seat. The feeling is that the family oriented Ventrella has found that a campaign would be very taxing as far as time and effort. Ventrella seems to be very civic minded and may feel that he can find other ways to benefit his community. What remains to be seen is whether this means clear sledding for Darcy Burner or if the move to draft Ross Hunter will take on a new life.