Ken Henderson

The 40th Legislative District state Senate primary was arguably the most competitive in the state for the Democrats, with Kevin Ranker (D-San Juan Island) topping Ken Henderson (D-Bellingham) by just over ten points to take on the sole Republican in the race, Samish Island's Steve Van Luven.

Now, more than $150,000 in campaign spending later, after a seriously contested primary that saw six Democratic candidates whittled down to one, the party appears united headed into the fall.

Unity, however, was not a given after the primary, where Ranker jumped to an early fundraising lead and picked up the endorsement of the 40th Legislative District Democrats by a large margin after an extended series of meetings and was declared their official nominee, but failed to get the backing of tw0-thirds of the district's elected delegation, including retiring incumbent Sen. Harriet Spanel (D-Bellingham), who backed a surging Henderson late in the summer.

But Democrats are Democrats, the 40th District ultimately decided.

August 16, 2008 Press Release or Immediate Release Contact: Jedediah Smart 360.715.1366   Many Democratic Candidates on the 40th LD Senate Ballot   With only a few days left before Primary ballots must be turned in, it is important to let voters know that there will be several candidates on the ballot that are marked as Democratic candidates for the 40th LD Senate seat, being vacated by Harriet Spanel. Two of these candidates on the ballot are Stephanie Kountouros and Paul Gonzales. Both of these candidates have withdrawn from the race and have asked their supporters to cast their vote for Ken Henderson. Retiring 40th LD Senator Harriet Spanel, has also voiced her sole endorsement for Ken Henderson for the primary election. Long serving 40th LD Rep Dave Quall, of Mount Vernon has also asked supporters to cast their vote for Ken Henderson. Additionally, there is one independent candidate, Steve Hopley (Anacortes Port Commissioner) who also dropped from the race and will not appear on the ballot.

August 11, 2008

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jedediah Smart

360.715.1366

Washington State Nurses Association and Local Business Leader Endorse Ken Henderson for Senate

Bellingham-The Washington State Nurses Association-PAC chose Ken Henderson as their endorsed candidate in the 40th LD senate race. Henderson was awarded the endorsement based on his performance in the WSNA-PAC 2008 Health I.Q. Candidate Evaluation Process. This endorsement articulates clearly that Ken Henderson has a strong commitment to health care, nursing and quality patient care. As an optometrist for over 25 years Henderson gained an in-depth understanding of the health care system, which will serve as a unique and valuable tool while working in the senate to make quality health care more accessible and less expensive.

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jedediah Smart

360.715.1366

Henderson Best Choice to replace

Spanel in Senate

Bellingham Herald Endorses Henderson for Senate

(Online article available at http://www.bellinghamherald.com/315/story/483795.html)

Bellingham-The Sunday edition of the Bellingham Herald featured their endorsement for the 40th District Senate seat. The Bellingham Herald editorial board held an interview process with all candidates and came to the conclusion that Ken Henderson is the best candidate to replacement retiring senator Harriet Spanel.

Former Candidate Stephanie Kountouros Endorses Ken Henderson.

Bellingham-Former 40th LD senate candidate and grassroots/community organizer Stephanie Kountouros has endorsed Ken Henderson. Stephanie is well known for her strong stance on social justice issues and participation as a Washington State Democratic platform representative. As a community coordinator she was credited as leading on of the most well organized and effective Obama county campaigns in the nation. Kountouros’ endorsement comes at a pinnacle time in the campaign season. Voters just received mail-in ballots this week and many wonder who is the best choice to replace long serving, Senator Harriet Spanel.

Republican Steve Van Luven, a candidate for state senate in the 40th Legislative District who represented the 48th LD in the state legislature for almost twenty years but has been living in Skagit County since 2003, continued to vote from his Bellevue address until March 25 of this year, the Bellingham Herald's Sam Taylor reports.

He first started raising money for his campaign in April.

 "It was a nostalgic thing for me," Van Luven told the Herald. "When you represent people that long ... I guess it just became a habit, a nostalgic thing, even though I moved up here," he said. "I don't have a real good reason it was just the way it is."

Kevin RankerReacting to the recent slate of endorsements for Ken Henderson (D-Bellingham) for state senate in the 40th Legislative District, including retiring Sen. Harriet Spanel, Rep. Dave Quall (D-Mt. Vernon) and former candidate Paul Gonzales (D-Mt. Vernon), all of which have come in the last two weeks, the 40th LD Democrats are speaking up to remind voters that their full endorsement belongs to Kevin Ranker (D-San Juan Island).

"There is confusion about which candidate the Democratic Party is supporting this year in the Senate race to fill the 40th Legislative District seat currently held by Senator Harriet Spanel," 40th LD Democratic Vice Chair Roni Beall said in a press release late Tuesday night. "The clear and simple answer is Kevin Ranker. He is not only our sole nominee, but is also our sole endorsee."

The Henderson Campaign responds to the Endorsement of Senator Harriet Spanel.

Harriet Spanel has released a press release with her endorsement of Ken Henderson for 40th LD Senate.

Don't like the way things are going for your candidate in the 40th Legislative District? Wait a week.

The race to replace Sen. Harriet Spanel (D-Bellingham) has been one of the wildest so far in terms of twists and turns, with a glut of candidates, late drop-outs, and an endorsement process gone slightly awry. And don't forget the Salmon Yoga Party.

So it continues today as the retiring Spanel announced her endorsement of Ken Henderson (D-Bellingham), whose campaign seemed on the rocks as recently as a month ago.