Hello Readers,

As you are aware, maybe too much so by now, there is a big election in November.  Obviously the campaign for President is the biggest office up for grabs but there are many other offices where candidates are running but are not quite as intense or given as much notoriety as President of the United States of America.

In Washington state, all nine statewide offices are open, including Governor, half of the state Senate and all 98 members of the state House of Representatives.  In some case, the statewide and legislative races are more important as the decisions these folks make have to do with local schools, state colleges and universities, state parks and resources and state roads, bridges and highways, not to mention taxes and regulations.

One of the longest serving and most influential state legislators is retiring this year -- Rep. Helen Sommers, who represents the 36th legislative district in Seattle (see map here:  http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=36)

Her replacement will be a key race.  It is essentially a foregone conclusion that the district will be represented by a Democrat.  The question is which one.  There are two who have announced their intentions to run and are out campaigning.  One is Reuven Carlyle and the other is John Burbank. 

Reuven is the type of person we need in Olympia.  He is an entrepreneur so he understands how the economy works and he has created jobs and opportunity for others.  He sits on the Board of the Community and Technical Colleges so he understands how the education system works (or doesn't).  Plus, he has been active in foster care issues so he has a heart for people and wants to help others.  You can read more about him at his website:  http://www.reuvencarlyle.com/default.asp?ID=1

John has been a labor activist for many years and comes from the "old school" of Democratic politics that is tired, has no new ideas and relies heavily on overtaxing and regulating business and government run health care as "solutions" to today's problems.  The unions will not have to worry about him--he will be a reliable ally who will never say no to whatever they want--no matter what it does to the state budget or business.  You can read more about John here:  http://www.johnburbank.com/

The twist in this year's elections will be how the "top two" primary plays out.  Earlier this year the Supreme Court ruled that Washington's top two primary is legal and constitutional.  This means that the two candidates who receive the most votes in the August primary, party notwithstanding, will advance to the general election.  So, in heavily Democratic districts in Seattle, Tacoma and a few other places, the top two vote getters will most likely be Democrats.  They will have to keep campaigning right on through November when in past years, the race would essentially be wrapped up in the primary race.  The same is true in districts where Republicans dominate, mostly Central and Eastern Washington.

Please support Reuven Carlyle.  He will do a great job for the 36th district and bring both smarts and compassion to Olympia.  Check out his website and volunteer and/or contribute.