endorsements

State Sen. Tim Sheldon (D-Potlatch), who controversially broke with party ranks in 2004 to endorse both Dino Rossi and George W. Bush, is staying neutral this time around.

The Olympian's Brad Shannon is reporting that Sheldon, who is running for Mason County Council this year, has decided to stay out of it with the exception of endorsing Barack Obama for president.

“I’m out of the race. I’m not endorsing … I’m not picking a side. I’ve learned my lesson to stay out of those things. I think politicians care more who is endorsing who,’’ Sheldon told Shannon.

Leslie BlossLeslie Bloss, the Republican candidate for state House, position 1 in Seattle's 36th Legislative District, has endorsed Democrat John Burbank now that the "top two" primary has ended her campaign. Bloss first reported the news in a comment on PolitickerWA.com.

This afternoon over the phone Bloss confirmed her endorsement of Burbank, mainly on the strength of three issues: keeping an elevated Alaska Way Viaduct, fixing Mercer Street and supporting Katie's Law.

"I think that Burbank is more in line with me, particularly wanting the Viaduct and the Mercer Street mess fixed. All those three things [including Katie's Law] are important to me."

Reuven CarlyleSen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-Seattle) has endorsed Reuven Carlyle for Representative in her 36th Legislative District, the Seattle P-I is reporting. Kohl-Welles has represented the district since 1992, for one term as a representative and in her current seat ever since.

"I am very pleased to endorse Reuven and I strongly encourage the people of our district to support him in the general election," Kohl-Wells said in a statement. "While our district is blessed with two strong candidates, Reuven has an impressive combination of public policy and business skills along with extraordinary life experience that will make him a very effective citizen legislator."

Carlyle is engaged in a close race with fellow Democrat John Burbank.

SEATTLE -

Dino Rossi accepts the endorsement of the Seattle Police Officers' Guild: Politicker photoThe Dino Rossi for governor campaign held a press conference today at the Seattle Police Officers' Guild headquarters in SoDo to announce the Guild's endorsement of Rossi for governor. The Seattle Guild, which represents 1202 officers and sergeants in Seattle, did not endorse either candidate in 2004.

Sergeant Richard O'Neill, President of the Seattle Police Officers' Guild said the endorsement was based in large part on their belief that Rossi would not allow the early release of convicted felons from prison, and that he would do better to improve the police officers' retirement system.

"Dino's proven leadership and continued commitment to law enforcement and public safety will serve the citizens of Washington well," O'Neill said in a press release accompanying the conference.  "We look forward to his continued support of the men and women of law enforcement and working closely with him in the future."   

Scott White: campaign photoThe Seattle Times issued its endorsements in the highly contested 36th and 46th Legislative Districts Wednesday afternoon, urging its readers to vote for Democratic candidates Reuven Carlye and Scott White, respectively. White and Carlyle also both received the endorsement of The Stranger's editorial control board on the same day.

The Times' endorsement said White "offers the right constellation of skills, contacts and personal work style to go to Olympia and dig right in."

As for Carlyle, they cited his business background as one of his key assets, "He has the entrepreneur's spirit and an appreciation of the private sector as the principal source of jobs."

Pierce County Councilmember Calvin Goings added another environmental group's backing today in his campaign for Pierce County executive when he gained the sole endorsement of the local Sierra Club.

"We believe Calvin Goings best understands the environmental challenges in Pierce County and will provide the leadership necessary to meet them head-on," said Bliss Moore, Chair of the Sierra Club Tatoosh Group.

Goings was also endorsed by the Washington Conservation Voters in July, and remains the only candidate in the executive race with the support of an environmental advocacy group.

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."

Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon (D-Everett) and King County Executive Ron Sims (D-Seattle) both announced this week that they are endorsing Chang Mook Sohn (D-Federal Way) for state treasurer.

Reardon cited the expertise of Sohn, who has served as the state's chief economist since the 1980s, on the state's economy and his political integrity in making his choice.

"No one knows Washington state's economy better than ChangMook Sohn," said Reardon."Dr. Sohn never changed the facts to satisfy politicians' spending plans. He just told it like it was - and he was always right."

UPDATE:

Sims, who also endorses Rep. Jim McIntire (D-Seattl) for the post, banked on Sohn's long experience in praising Sohn.

"Dr. Sohn has the experience to be state treasurer: he's been the state's top economist for more than two decades; he's founded a bank; and he's taught economics at two state universities," Sims said.

Seattle Democrat Gerry Pollet, who is running in the well-documented race against Scott White to succeed state treasurer candidate Rep. Jim McIntire (D-Seattle), announced a handful of endorsements in an e-mail this morning.

Pollet, who has also been touting his refusal to accept the financial support of corporations and PACs lately, has the backing of Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata and former Councilmember Peter Steinbreuck, who had both endorsed White prior to Pollet's entry and now give a dual endorsement, as well as the King County Democrats, who issued a dual endorsement, and the Cascade Bicycle Club.

The Washington Conservation Voters, a leading environmental interest group, announced Thursday that they are giving Calvin Goings (D-Puyallup) their sole endorsement for Pierce County Executive.

"For over a decade Calvin Goings has shown a record of environmental leadership on many of our most pressing community priorities," said Sarah Lowe, the co-chair of Pierce County WCV, in a statement.