Friday, July 15, 2016

Lieutenant Governor


Lieutenant Governor 

The incumbent is retiring this year.

It turns out this position is more than just symbolic. There’s the usual – stepping in when the governor is away or incapacitated. But this person also serves as president of the state senate, which means s/he helps determine which legislation advances to the Senate floor for debate. By law the lieutenant governor chairs the Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations.


As with the race for governor, there is a crowded field here, with 11 candidates. We’ve got 4 Dems, 4 Repubs, 1 Libertarian, 1 Citizen’s Party, and one with no party.

Two of the candidates are endorsed by FUSE Progressive Voters, and one of those is also endorsed by Washington Conservation Voters. That one is Cyrus Habib. I like his agenda. I know Karen Fraser has done excellent work in the State Senate, but so has Cyrus Habib. And he has 2 endorsements from groups I trust while she has only one. I am also bothered by the lack of specificity in her campaign statements. So, I’ll be voting for Cyrus Habib.

The candidates:



Mark Greene            Citizens Party
http://washcommoner.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-revived-citizens-partys-mark-greene.html
paralegal, USMC vet, frequent candidate
“economically progressive; non-imperial; culturally traditional; non-interventionist re foreign policy; environmentally conscious – no nukes, neither arms nor energy.” He ran in 2012 and thanks the people of Asotin, Wahkiakum, Skamania, and Cowlitz counties for their support.





Paul Addis     Libertarian
education: Georgia State University, BBA in management
business analyst, army vet, community activist, 2014 state rep candidate
From the website: doesn’t take special interest money, is non-partisan and therefore unbiased.  His website does not indicate any position on anything except getting big money out of politics.






Cyrus Habib  D
education: Columbia BA, Oxford MA, Yale law PhD
lost eyesight to cancer at age 8
attorney, state senator, former state rep
From the website “opportunity gap, income inequality, climate change.”
Issues: fully funding public schools, reducing college tuition, investing in public transportation, basic protections for working families, addressing climate change, making government more open and accountable, guaranteed paid sick leave, assuring voting rights, allowing for legislative testimony on-line.

Endorsed by Washington Conservation Voters.
Endorsed by FUSE Progressive Voters.



Karen Fraser D
education: UW  MA in public administration
state senator, ex state rep, ex Thurston Co commissioner, ex Lacey mayor
Her focus seems to be on presiding over the State Senate such that it does not dissolve into gridlock. While she has a very good track record in the senate, I do not see any issue statements other than her willingness to make wise decisions and to promote the public good.

Endorsed by FUSE Progressive Voters.





Phillip Yin     R
education: Georgetown University  International MBA
investment banker, ex tv news anchor
issues: reliable affordable mass transit,
make Washington the premier international hub of tourism, trade, and investment,
            promote development of green energy products
            improve broadband access and speed statewide
            invest in pubic works
            promote tourism through commitment to environmental beauty
education
environment
            help renewable energy companies work with Dept of Ecology
            encourage companies that serve renewables
            protect waterways, soil, and grasslands – and crop and beef producers
This guy feels like a well-intentioned R. His heart may be in the right place, but his education is in wheeling and dealing.




Steve Hobbs   D
www.electhobbs.com
state senator, retired army officer, Iraq war vet
Goals include ending DC style vitriol in the state Senate, fully funding public education, growing the state’s economy, addressing social and economic inequality, combating the impacts of climate change, and promoting civil dialogue in the legislature.


Javier H Figueroa     R
www.electfigueroa.com         
University Place city councilor & mayor, business man, Vietnam war vet, Tahoma Audubon board,
His business has been in property development, appraising, environmental issues, and property rights
agenda: promote recreation & tourism, advocate for international competitiveness (read: trade), facilitate WA sources to help China deal with war & water quality problems, coordinate tech research on climate change, feasibility study for an “Evergreen Maritime College” re international trade, promote business incubators, promote jobs for veterans.
Another well intentioned R whose entire background is in business.



Marty McClendon    R
education: UW
radio show host, realtor, ex anesthesia tech, pastor
agenda: open, transparent, accountable, responsive government; reduce ‘excessive’ government regulations; allow business to flourish; take care of veterans; strong supporter of 2nd amendment rights & NRA; must steward our resources – without crippling job growth, property use, or our economic engine; establish transparency in office; aid communications; shrink government; abide by the golden rule.
This one is a classic far-right religious gun-tottin’ R who wants to shrink government – while, of course, supporting vets and protecting the environment. No mention of public education, just a claim that state agencies lard their budgets so they can ask for more next year.




Bill Penor      R
www.billpenor.com
airport manager, worked in timber industry
agenda: re environment, applauds the young people’s lawsuit to protect the environment, and decries Olympia’s lack of action re greenhouse gases. Points out that the environmental solution to many problem is often also the economic solution
re: energy, “now is the time to pursue green power and renewables”, proposes a sustainable energy development campus; promotes research on Liquid Flouride Thorium reactors.




Daniel B Davies        none stated

I think the image says it all. This is where I am particularly sorry to have lost all the images I had embedded. Mr Davies's self portrait is of his arms crossed over his chest, with a hand gun in each hand.

Here’s his candidate statement:
I have been a gun shop owner in Tacoma, WA for over 10 years. I know first hand how regulations hurt small business. We need to free business from unnecessary, unproductive burdens and get back to the basics. A good economy is good for everyone, so let's tax at a lower rate, developing more income with less resistance.
I support your Second Amendment rights. I believe any non felon U.S. Citizen should be able to purchase and bear firearms with minimal government interference. I support a five year minimum sentence for “theft of a firearm” or a “convicted felon in possession of a firearm”. This would stop a lot of crime.
I oppose a state income tax, I oppose a state carbon tax. I don't like light rail. Buses are a better way to go. Buses are more versatile than rail, providing flexible routing and re-routing.
I don't like career politicians. Government service should not be a lifetime job. I want to be your Lt. Governor to make a difference, and show what a working man can do with common sense.




Karen Wallacece       D
real estate broker
I was not able to find any more information on this candidate.

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