Issaquah residents defied trends in November election
December 14, 2010
The ballot measure to create a state income tax failed just about everywhere outside of left-leaning Seattle and Vashon Island — except for a precinct nestled along Lake Sammamish.
Initiative 1098 received ironclad support — 80 percent — in the precinct. The catch: King County records indicate the precinct has 11 registered voters; 10 participated in the Nov. 2 election.
The information about the Lake Sammamish precinct comes from a detailed analysis of the precinct results in the recent election. (Issaquah is carved into 30 precincts.)
The neighborhood-level data — released a month after the election — illustrates how the Issaquah electorate bucked state trends on some issues and rejected incumbents even as the candidates cruised to re-election.
The dueling liquor initiatives on the ballot, 1100 and 1105, received uneven support from Issaquah voters.
Initiative 1100, a liquor privatization measure backed by Issaquah-based Costco — the largest employer in the city — received broad backing in the city even as the measure came up short statewide.
Initiative 1105 failed in every Issaquah precinct and only managed to garner 35 percent of the vote statewide.
Republican tide ebbs in Issaquah-area races
November 9, 2010
Both parties highlight successes in local contests
The national GOP tsunami carried Republicans into statehouses across the nation on Election Day, but in Washington, the wave amounted to little more than a gentle crest.
Republicans did not dislodge Democrats from majorities in the state Senate or state House of Representatives, but candidates faced a testier electorate, and Democrats face shrunken majorities in both chambers.
Despite strong candidates and a favorable political environment, Republicans did not reclaim a majority in Issaquah-area statehouse seats.
Democrats and Republicans trumpeted successes in the days after Election Day, as elections offices tallied the remaining ballots for statehouse contests.
Dino Rossi trails in U.S. Senate race as count continues
November 3, 2010
Dino Rossi, U.S. Senate candidate, kisses wife Terry as children (from left) Jake, Joseph, Juliauna and Jillian look on during a GOP celebration in Bellevue Tuesday. By Greg Farrar
State Senate races remain too close to call
UPDATED — 5:55 p.m. Nov. 3, 2010
Republican Dino Rossi, a Sammamish resident and former Issaquah state senator, trailed incumbent U.S. Sen. Patty Murray by about 24,800 votes Wednesday afternoon, though the number could shift in the days ahead as mail ballots reach elections offices statewide.
Statehouse incumbents appear to be headed for re-election
November 2, 2010
UPDATED — 9:20 p.m. Nov. 2, 2010
Incumbents in the race to represent Issaquah in Olympia — Republicans Glenn Anderson and Jay Rodne, and Democrat Judy Clibborn — pulled far ahead of opponents in initial election results released Tuesday night.
The representatives trounced little known or under-funded candidates to cruise to re-election.
Meanwhile, Democrat Marcie Maxwell appeared to be locked into a close contest against Republican Peter Dunbar to retain the state House of Representatives seat she clinched in 2008. The same scenario appeared to be the case for Democrat Randy Gordon and Republican Steve Litzow in a state Senate bout.
The measure to increase the King County sales tax rate to pay for criminal justice services trailed in early returns and a state liquor-privatization measure backed by Issaquah-based Costco lagged.
Republican Dino Rossi, a Sammamish resident and former Issaquah state senator, remained locked in a tight race against incumbent U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, Democrat in a close fight for a fourth term.
Press Editorial
October 19, 2010
Our recommendations for state representatives
5th District
The 5th Legislative District includes most of Issaquah, except for Cougar Mountain (It’s in the 41st District) and the South Cove neighborhoods (They’re in the 48th).
Representative, Position 1 — Jay Rodne. We can find no reason to oust Rodne at this time. His challenger, Gregory Hoover, is no match for Rodne’s knowledge regarding the issues. Rodne’s record of voting pro-business and working for education reform stands out. When not in Olympia, Rodne is entrenched in his community as a leader and a volunteer.
Representative, Position 2 — Glenn Anderson. There is no hidden agenda with Anderson — he calls it like it is, even if it’s not what you want to hear. But there is no doubt that he is knowledgeable and passionate about this commitment to represent the 5th District. He is a tireless worker for education funding solutions. Challenger David Spring’s drive is also about education, but he fails to bring solutions to the table.
41st Legislative District candidates answer questions
October 12, 2010
Voters in the 41st Legislative District will decide a pair of state House of Representatives races and a state Senate contest next month. Here, the candidates discuss a variety of local and state issues in 25 words or fewer. (Senate candidate Steve Litzow did not respond.)
Incumbent Democrat Marcie Maxwell faces Republican Peter Dunbar for the Position 1 House seat. Incumbent Democrat Judy Clibborn is running against Republican Stephen Strader for the Position 2 seat. Appointed Sen. Randy Gordon, a Democrat, faces Republican Litzow in the race for a seat in the upper chamber.
Read more
Candidates to face off in Eastside forums
October 5, 2010
Hear the candidates in legislative and congressional races discuss the economy, education and other issues at forums in Issaquah and Newcastle.
The candidates in the contests to represent Issaquah in the state House of Representatives plan to attend a forum hosted by the Issaquah Valley Elementary Parent Teacher Association. The discussion is focused on 5th Legislative District education. The district includes most of Issaquah and Sammamish, plus North Bend and Snoqualmie.
The education forum is Oct. 12 at Issaquah Valley Elementary School.
The incumbent Republicans, Glenn Anderson and Jay Rodne, and Democrats David Spring and Gregory Hoover plan to attend.
Though the forum is open to the public, state PTA bylaws prohibit the display of candidate signs, buttons or materials during the discussion.
Register to vote in November election by Monday
September 30, 2010
NEW — 8 a.m. Sept. 30, 2010
In order to vote in the November election, Washington residents must register to vote by Monday.
To register, a person must be a U.S. citizen, a Washington resident, at least 18 by Election Day and not under the authority of the state Department of Corrections.
Voters do not have to register by political party or declare political party membership in order to vote in primary or general elections.
Find a full list of requirements and registration forms at King County Elections.
Issaquah voters will decide legislative, judicial and congressional races in the Nov. 2 election, plus a measure to raise the county sales tax rate.
State Rep. Marcie Maxwell plans education speech
September 10, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. Sept. 10, 2010
State Rep. Marcie Maxwell plans to discuss education at the Eastside Mothers & More meeting next week.
Maxwell, a real estate agent and Renton Democrat, represents the 41st Legislative District. The district includes Talus and other Cougar Mountain communities, plus Newcastle, Mercer Island and unincorporated King County.
Eastside Mothers & More meets 7-9 p.m. Sept. 14 in the Spring Room at East Shore Unitarian Church, 12700 S.E. 32nd St., Bellevue. The moms-only event is open to the public. Learn more here or email info@eastsidemothersandmore.org.
Incumbents earn high marks in Municipal League ratings
July 27, 2010
Issaquah residents face some good choices — and a few not-so-good options — in the primary election next month. Or so the Municipal League of King County has decided.
For the most part, Issaquah-area lawmakers fared better than the challengers campaigning against them in August and November. The league released the ratings July 19.
The league ranks candidates through a rigorous process during each election cycle. The ratings provide a tool for voters — plus fodder for candidates’ campaign mailers and websites.
Evaluators scrutinize candidate records, talk to references, review candidate questionnaires and interview the electoral hopefuls. The league rates candidates on four criteria: involvement, character, effectiveness and knowledge. Candidates then receive a grade ranging from the coveted outstanding to the less-desirable not qualified.
