Candidates highlight more endorsements ahead of Aug. 7 primary
More candidate endorsements have trickled in during the past month, as those running for legislative positions continued to gear up for the Aug. 7 primary. Ballots for the primary election were mailed out this week.
Here’s a run-down on the latest endorsements:
State Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, was endorsed by the Washington Farm Bureau, according to Benton’s campaign.
“Senator Benton has a record of defending family farms,” Dan Wood, a lobbyist for the Washington Farm Bureau was quoted as saying in a news release sent out by Benton’s campaign. “He understands how important agriculture is to our local and state economy.”
Benton also has been endorsed by the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs.
The National Federation of Independent Business’ SAFE Trust group, a small-business lobbying organization, announced it was endorsing three Clark County Republicans: 17th District House candidate Julie Olson, Position 1 18th District House candidate Brandon Vick and Position 2 18th District House candidate Liz Pike.
State Rep. Tim Probst, D-Vancouver, who is challenging Benton for his Senate seat, has been endorsed by SEIU Healthcare 775NW, a union for long-term care workers.
“As the senior population expands, our state is going to face significant long-term care workforce challenges,” the union group said in a press release announcing the endorsement of many candidates. “We believe these candidates will be leaders in the effort to lift caregivers out of poverty, stabilize the caregiver workforce and ensure quality care for the most vulnerable.”
Republican Carolyn Crain, who’s running against state Rep. Jim Moeller in the 49th District, said in an email that she has been endorsed by LifePAC, a political action committee that opposes abortion.
Meanwhile, the Washington State Republican Party’s executive board voted unanimously to endorse U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, who is seeking re-election.
“Congresswoman Herrera Beutler is the youngest woman in Congress and the first Hispanic to represent Washington state in Congress,” the WSRP said in a news release. “She is a rising star not only in the Republican Party, but in the U.S. House of Representatives, and is poised to do great things for our state.”
Herrera Beutler’s Democratic opponent, Jon Haugen, said he has been endorsed by the pro same-sex marriage group Marriage Equality Southwest Washington, the Cowlitz County Democrats, the Young Democrats of Cowlitz County, and Democrats in the 18th and 49th Legislative Districts.
Bike-friendly scorecard
The Cascade Bicycle Club released a legislative scorecard recently that dubbed state Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver, a “House Champion” for creating “a better community through bicycling.” The club supports laws that make it easier to bike places within a community.
The bicycle club gave state Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, a “Training Wheels” distinction, saying “Rivers has done little to help make it safe and convenient for others to ride.” They said she voted 33 percent of the time in a way that aligned with the club’s mission.
And those are just the new endorsements I’ve received from candidates and political groups. I’ve also written posts on previous endorsements made.
Have you heard of any other candidate endorsements? Let me know.
This blog post has been updated to include new endorsements for Benton, Crain and Haugen.
Stevie Mathieu: 360-735-4523 or stevie.mathieu@columbian.com or www.facebook.com/reportermathieu or www.twitter.com/col_politics
