Legislators Judy Clibborn, Jay Rodne run unopposed for re-election
October 9, 2012
In November, local voters face a choice in most legislative contests, but a duo of lawmakers from neighboring districts is certain to return to Olympia.
State Rep. Jay Rodne is guaranteed to represent the 5th Legislative District in the House of Representatives for another term, after nobody stepped forward to challenge the North Bend Republican. In the neighboring 41st Legislative District, state Rep. Judy Clibborn did not attract a challenger.
In 2010, Clibborn and Rodne cruised to re-election against little-known opponents.
Press Editorial
October 9, 2012
Join conversation at candidate forum
In 2008, fueled in part by the historic candidacy of Barack Obama to the highest office in the land, voters engaged in the political process in a once-in-a-generation way.
Though 2012 cannot recapture the sense of excitement, contests up and down the ballot merit some serious attention from Issaquah voters. So much attention is focused on the race for president, but Washington voters must decide important races for governor and other executive positions.
Voters also face a chance to make history through ballot measures to legalize marijuana and affirm the rights of same-sex couples to marry.
Local legislative candidates join chambers’ forum
October 2, 2012
Voters can hear from candidates for the state House of Representatives and Senate on Oct. 9 at a forum organized by the Issaquah and Sammamish chambers of commerce.
The lineup includes the contenders for a 5th Legislative District House seat — Republican Chad Magendanz and Democrat David Spring — and the Senate seat — Democrat Mark Mullet and Republican Brad Toft.
The candidates in the 41st Legislative District, state Rep. Marcie Maxwell, D-Renton, and Issaquah Republican Tim Eaves — plus state Sen. Steve Litzow, R-Mercer Island, and Mercer Island Democrat Maureen Judge — also plan to attend.
State Rep. Jay Rodne, R-North Bend, the uncontested candidate for the other House seat in the district, is also expected to attend.
The forum is from 3:30-5 p.m. at Blakely Hall, 2550 N.E. Park Drive. Organizers plan to focus on business and economic issues.
How did Issaquah vote?
September 18, 2012
Data from the Aug. 7 primary shows how Issaquah voters decided — and offers clues to how the local electorate might vote in the November general election.
Turnout in primary election fails to meet expectations
August 28, 2012
King County turnout in the Aug. 7 primary hit 40 percent, but statewide turnout failed to meet a pre-election forecast.
State legislators earn bipartisan honor
August 21, 2012
Local current and former legislators earned recognition Aug. 16 for efforts to legalize charter schools in Washington.
State Reps. Glenn Anderson, R-Fall City, and Deb Eddy, D-Kirkland; state Sens. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, and Steve Litzow, R-Mercer Island; former state Sen. Cheryl Pflug, R-Maple Valley; and other lawmakers earned the bipartisan recognition from the Washington Policy Center.
The nonpartisan public policy research organization honored legislators with the 2012 Champion of Freedom Award.
“We are honored to recognize these legislative champions of charter schools in our state who helped make the case to reform education and put the issue before our state’s citizens this fall,” Washington Policy Center President Dann Mead Smith said in a statement.
Issaquah legislators earn bipartisan honor for charter school efforts
August 19, 2012
NEW — 6 a.m. Aug. 19, 2012
Local current and former legislators earned recognition Aug. 16 for efforts to legalize charter schools in Washington.
State Reps. Glenn Anderson, R-Fall City, and Deb Eddy, D-Kirkland; state Sens. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, and Steve Litzow, R-Mercer Island; former state Sen. Cheryl Pflug, R-Maple Valley; and other lawmakers earned the bipartisan recognition from the Washington Policy Center.
The nonpartisan public policy research organization honored legislators with the 2012 Champion of Freedom Award.
“We are honored to recognize these legislative champions of charter schools in our state who helped make the case to reform education and put the issue before our state’s citizens this fall,” Washington Policy Center President Dann Mead Smith said in a statement.
Voters endorse property tax measure, incumbent candidates
August 14, 2012
King County voters endorsed a $200 million property tax measure to build a juvenile justice facility to replace the aging Youth Services Center, a juvenile detention facility in Seattle.
The property tax measure, Proposition 1, appeared on a crowded primary ballot alongside federal, judicial, legislative and statewide contests.
Off the Press
August 14, 2012
Election enthusiasm, fresh from New Jersey
Warren Kagarise
Press reporter
Election Day, as a barrage of ads across all media reminds us, is only weeks — days, really — into the future.
Forget the Aug. 7 primary and the gaggle of also-ran candidates for state auditor, state insurance commissioner and other unglamorous-but-important roles. Until Nov. 6, all attention is focused on the race for governor.
Yes, I realize the presidential contest represents a watershed moment, but Washington is not a battleground state and the most locals can expect to see is more in-state fundraising from President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.
Though the presidential race inched tantalizingly close to Issaquah in recent months — Obama in Seattle, Bellevue, Hunts Point and Medina; and Romney in Bellevue and Medina — neither candidate crossed Lake Sammamish.
So, in the meantime, amid the ubiquitous TV ads featuring Jay Inslee’s bulldozer and Rob McKenna’s family, do not overlook the races farther down the ballot.
Voters endorse property tax measure, incumbent candidates
August 7, 2012
NEW — 8:40 p.m. Aug. 7, 2012
King County voters endorsed a $200 million property tax measure to build a juvenile justice facility, as King County Elections released initial results Tuesday night.
Officials asked voters to fund a replacement for the aging Youth Services Center, a juvenile detention facility in Seattle.
The measure appeared on a crowded primary ballot alongside federal, judicial, legislative and statewide contests. Voters in Issaquah and throughout Washington returned ballots in recent days, as the calendar inched closer to the summer primary — and the Tuesday deadline to postmark or return ballots.
The electorate chose the top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, in the all-mail primary election. The top vote recipients then advance to an all-mail general election Nov. 6.
