The 43rd District — click for larger image
Earlier this month, CHS reported that there was more than one winner in the Seattle race for mayor. With Ed Murray’s victory, the 43rd District’s House rep Jamie Pedersen appears lined up for a promotion to the Senate. The ripple effect will also likely mean the 43rd Dems will be picking a new representative. Below is a mail sent out Wednesday morning by the group to members profiling the potential candidates.
King County Democrats chair Karl de Jong has called a special caucus for the senate appointment. During this caucus, Precinct Committee Officers will also be voting on three nominees for the potential house vacancy. Details on the December 3rd meeting are here.
Pedersen’s statement as well as statements for the three potential candidates to replace him are below.
Fellow Democrat;
Stay tuned for an email from Karl de Jong of the King County Democrats; be sure to open it for details on the special meeting to choose our new state senator, and possibly choose a new state representative.While we await that notice, it is incumbent upon us to learn more about those who would represent our District in the Legislature. In advance of tonight’s general membership meeting, declared candidates have prepared the following statements to help us become more familiar with them, and understand why they believe they are the best choice for representation in Olympia:
For State Senate;
Jamie Pedersen: I have been honored to represent the 43rd Legislative District as your State Representative since 2007. In that time, I am proud to have been a prime sponsor of legislation to ensure foster youth do not become homeless when they turn 18, protections for victims of domestic violence from contact with their abusers, ensuring that violent mentally ill offenders have access to the treatment that they need before being released from prison, and, of course, marriage equality. Now that my friend Senator Ed Murray has been elected Mayor of Seattle, I am asking that you allow me to continue representing the 43rd in the State Senate.
If appointed, I will work to change the dynamic in the Senate, building coalitions that benefit all Washingtonians. This includes bringing a sense of urgency for education funding, tax reform, and working to pass progressive bills such as the DREAM act, the Reproductive Parity Act, and the Voting Rights Act, ensuring local election rules do not provide an impediment for historically underrepresented groups to win in local elections. Together, I know that we can build a better state, one that we can be proud to leave to our children and grandchildren.
For more information and a list of endorsements:www.peopleforpedersen.org.
For State House (if Rep. Pedersen is appointed to the Senate);
Cristina Gonzalez: I have an M.A. in Economics and currently work for Executive Dow Constantine’s budget office. As adjunct faculty for Seattle University, I have taught a required course of Economics for the MPA program since 2009. Since 2008, I have proudly chaired the Board of Directors for Seattle Education Access, a local, values-based nonprofit that supports low-income/homeless young people to make successful transitions to post-secondary education. While on the Seattle Families and Education Levy Planning Committee, I fought for increased funding for college-readiness programs in middle and high schools and currently serve on its Levy Oversight Committee. I am seeking appointment in order to be an advocate in Olympia for equitable access to education for marginalized communities, services that support strong families, transportation funding that supports a strong economy, and a more equitable tax structure. I would appreciate your support.
Additional questions? I can be reached at [email protected]
Scott Forbes: I’ve played several roles in the 43rd District Democrats since moving into the district in 2007. In 2008 I served as a PCO, an area caucus coordinator, and a delegate to the State Convention. I was elected Secretary of the 43rd in 2009, Vice Chair for PCO Recruitment in 2010, and Chair in 2011 and again this year. I’ve served on the board of the Montlake neighborhood council, and am a member of Equal Rights Washington, the Transportation Choices Coalition, and the ACLU. If appointed, I will be a strong and effective advocate for higher education, funding of public transit, the fight against climate change, and social justice needs in Washington – passing the DREAM Act, the Reproductive Parity Act, raising the minimum wage statewide, and reforming Washington’s regressive tax structure.
Brady Pinero Walkinshaw: I’m running to be an advocate for social and economic justice in the 43rd and in our State. I believe strongly in the need to take a long-term view to create the coalitions in our State to rebuild our middle class, reduce carbon emissions, finance higher education, pass a reproductive parity act, and reform our State’s regressive revenue system. I grew up in a rural part of our State working in farming, my mother immigrated to the US from Cuba, and I’ve spent my career building coalitions on issues from sustainable food systems and educational equity to marriage equality and campaigns to elect progressive candidates. The past three months, I’ve had the chance to talk with over 300 members of the 43rd and Community Leaders about challenges, opportunities and the type of leadership we need for our District.
For more information, and a list of endorsements: www.bradywalkinshaw.com.
