Note: We don't do solo shows; Seattle Weekly only endorses in seriously contested primary races. General-election endorsements may be different.
KING COUNTY PROSECUTOR
Coasting incumbent Norm Maleng, who has let the prosecutor's office list while chasing one statewide office after another, is overdue for a serious challenge. Fred Canavor looks like just the Dem to give it to him. Canavor has terrific background for the job. He's helped write a legal code (for the Micronesian state of Pohnpei). He's run a prosecutor's office (as a popular San Juan County prosecutor). And he has the trial experience that Maleng lacked, gained in both San Juan (small-county prosecutors must plead their own cases) and private practice. He's well attuned to the King County office's shortcomings, from untrustworthy—hence often unsought—civil advice (remember the ombudsman boondoggle) to erratic charging and poor morale. And, though he promises not to get as hung up on lobbying the Legislature as Maleng, he vows to try to undo the damage Maleng helped do in pushing the state's determinate sentencing laws. A prosecutor who wants to shift discretion back to the judges—that's our kind of prosecutor.
Richard Pope, the other avowed Dem in the race, is a feisty gadfly who tenders even sharper criticisms of Maleng's "political grandstanding" and tardy charging of suspects. But Pope, who ran as a Republican for attorney general two years ago, is a sharp lawyer in the best and worst sense and lacks the experience and temperament for the prosecutor's job.
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 1—Bothell, Brier—Position 2, Democrat
Two strong Demo candidates. We'll pick Jeanne Edwards, a Bothell City Council member and journalist-turned-hospital-PR-director, over teacher/businessman Ted Jensen. She looks to have the better organized and funded campaign, and the better chance at saving us from the dimwitted, gay-bashing incumbent, Republican Mike Sherstad.
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 30—Federal Way, Tacoma—Pos. 1, Republican
Mark Miloscia has a free ride to the Democratic nomination for this open seat. On the Republican side, Federal Way City Council member/Mayor Skip Priest offers a common-sense, bring-business-values-to-government approach, and he has the business experience (with a law degree) to back it up. Federal Way School Board president Ann Murphy talks about shrinking government and gets support from Human Life and the Washington Rifle & Pistol Association. Pick the Priest.
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 31—Auburn— Pos. 1
Of several presentable Republicans for this open seat, Sue Singer, graphic-arts business owner and Auburn City Council member, looks to have the deepest community roots, strongest campaign, and best chance of beating the one who surely should be beat: Dan Roach, who mimics the loopy positions of his right-wing mother, Sen. Pam Roach. Stopping him justifies a crossover vote.
But if you must vote Demo, vote for Michael Stensen, president of the Enumclaw School Board and former City Council member. He opposes I-200, which Democrat opponent Darrell Carrier backs.
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 32—Shoreline, Innis Arden—Pos. 1, Democrat
One-term incumbent Patty Butler has serious opposition from Carolyn Edmonds and looks very shaky. Butler's House seatmate, Senate counterpart, and County Council representative all back Edmonds, and the district's Democratic organization voted not much confidence in her with a dual endorsement. Butler's voting record, otherwise fairly solid, is marred by too-enthusiastic backing of the Mariners stadium deal. We second the change.
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 37—Central and South Seattle—Senator, Democrat
Yes, Adam Kline, the appointed incumbent, has probably been a more effective legislator than challenger and fellow Dem Dawn Mason And yes, Mason has pulled one switcheroo too many: She first passed up the appointment that then went to Kline, on grounds she was needed in the House; then, after failing to gain an appointment to the Seattle City Council, challenged him. But we admire her spunk and independence. She's a rare and authentic voice in Olympia. Even when her positions (for charter schools and public schools sharing textbooks with private ones) run against the conventional liberalism Kline espouses, it's the Zion Prep, not the Lakeside, crowd she speaks for.
Representative Pos. 1, Democrat
Another tough call in a decisive Democratic primary for an open seat: Sharon Tomiko Santos and Juan Cotto are both able (if ominously smooth and well-connected) candidates—this year's Aaron Ostrom and Martha Choe. We'll opt for Camille Monzon, who shows more conviction with a similar agenda and has won plaudits in her many years running the Seattle Indian Center.
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 41—Mercer Island, Renton—Pos. 1 and 2, Republican
Incumbents Mike Wensman and Ida Ballasiotes are strong incumbents with weak opposition from candidates even farther to the right in this decisive Republican primary.
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 46—North Seattle—Pos. 1, Democrat
University of Washington prof/administrator Jim McIntire, though not our pick, is certainly well-qualified. But we'll go with the other Dem, Brian Peyton, recently appointed to the seat. Peyton is an unusually promising legislative figure who's achieved a rare balance between two usually exclusive roles, as a community activist and Democratic Party player. (Nick Licata's the only other example who comes to mind.) A former state health law judge who is still on the state payroll, he'll find new employment if elected. Peyton's a fighter hardened in the neighborhood trenches. He can play with the big kids without becoming captive— as Clinton/ Lockeera Dems increasingly are—to the corporate powers.
