Endorsements pick up steam

With the primary election now two months away, candidates are eager to publicize their endorsement and other assorted statements of support. Here’s what the latest mail brought in:

Third Congressional District candidate Denny Heck has been singled out by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for surpassing his fundraising goals. Heck has put $250,000 of his own money into his half-million-dollar campaign war chest.

The committee named Heck to its competitive “Red to Blue” program, which highlights top Democratic campaigns across the country and offers them help with fundraising, communications, and grassroots and strategic support.

Heck has put $250,000 of his own money into his half-million-dollar campaign war chest.

“Denny Heck has stormed out of the gate and the Red to Blue program will give him the extra edge to win in November,” said DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen in a statement Monday. “Heck has already proven his commitment to being an independent leader who puts Washington jobs and economic recovery first.”

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State Rep. Jaime Herrera, also a candidate for the 3rd District seat, was recently presented with the “Guardian of Small Business” award by the National Federation of Independent Business for her voting record and support of small businesses in the 2009 and 2010 legislative sessions.

Herrera earned a 92 percent voting record.

“Almost every legislator claims to be a friend of small business, but our award separates the faithful from the frauds,” said Patrick Connor, the federation’s Washington state director. “We are proud to honor a leader like Jaime whose record matches her rhetoric when it comes to protecting small businesses, the backbone of our economy.”*

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Jon Russell, a Washougal city councilor and Republican a candidate for the open 18th Legislative District seat, has won the endorsement of the anti-abortion Human Life PAC, an endorsement won in the past by Republican 18th District legislators Herrera, Rep. Ed Orcutt and Sen. Joe Zarelli.

“It is vitally important that we keep a pro-life legislator in this seat,” Russell said in a statement. “I will carry on that tradition for my constituents.”

Kathie Durbin