The Washington State Labor Council voted May 5 on its 2012 endorsements for statewide ballot measures and state and Congressional office races, though labor leaders say results from a few state offices reflect a “wait and see” attitude.
The council offered no endorsement for the state auditor race and dual endorsements for the secretary of state race between Kathleen Drew and former Seattle mayor Greg Nickels.
Labor leaders say they sent a strong message to state lawmakers who voted in favor of cutting pensions for workers hired after May 1, 2013, by opposing state Sen. Joe Zarelli, a Republican from Ridgefield, Wash. Zarelli was the prime sponsor of the pension bill.
The labor body resoundingly supported Referendum 74, which advocates for marriage equality. The referendum is imperative to extending rights to workers who have previously faced discrimination, leaders say.
The council also supported Initiative 502, which would legalize marijuana.
In February, the organization backed Jay Inslee for governor, Maria Cantwell for U.S. Senate and Bob Ferguson for state attorney general.
Endorsements near/relevant to Whatcom County
Federal offices
U.S. Senate: Maria Cantwell
1st Congressional District : Suzan DelBene
2nd Congressional District: Rick Larsen
State offices
Governor: Jay Inslee
Lieutenant Governor: Brad Owen
State attorney general: Bob Ferguson
Insurance Commissioner: Mike Kreidler
Secretary of State: Kathleen Drew and Greg Nickels
Superintendent of Public Instruction: Randy Dorn
State ballot measures
Referedum 74 (Marriage Equality): Approve
Initiative 502 (Legalize marijuana): Yes
Initiative 1185 (Eyman-2/3 vote for tax increases): No
Initiative 1191 (Right-to-work): No
Initiative 1192 (Redefine “marriage”): No
State Supreme Court
Position 2: Susan Owens
Position 8: Steven Gonzalez
Position 9: Bruce Hilyer and John Ladenburg
State Legislature
39th District—Endorsed Eleanor Walters for either House or Senate
40th District—House: Kristine Lytton, Senate: Kevin Ranker
42nd District—House: Natalie McClendon
