Smith on Politics: Republican Coday Announces Campaign Against Democratic U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell

Shoreline physician is third announced Cantwell challenger

Dr. Art Coday, a Shoreline Republican who lost a bid for State representative in 2010, has announced a campaign against Democratic U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell.

Coday announced his candidacy Tuesday for the seat that Cantwell has held for two six-year terms.

He is a primary-care physician who treats mostly Medicare, Medicaid and uninsured patients. He said in a press release Tuesday that the federal health-care law would hurt programs for the elderly, the disabled and the poor. He said that he stands for traditional American values, and he criticized Cantwell’s support for abortion rights, gun control and environmental policies that he says hurt efforts to develop American energy independence.

Coday is the second Republican to register for the position with the Federal Elections Commission, along with Democrat Cantwell and third-party candidate Max Englerius.

Registration with the FEC allows a candidate to raise and spend money for the August primary and November general election, Candidates file for ballot positions May 14-18.

Coday starts his campaign with $6,690 raised. Republican State Sen. Michael Baumgartner of Spokane has reported raising $122,756. Max Inglorious, who lists his affiliation as The American Tradition Party, reports no fundraising or spending. Cantwell reports raising $5,493,816.

The top two vote getters in the August primary advance to the Nov. 6 general election.

Coday had announced a run against U.S. Sen. Patty Murray in 2010 before filing for an open 32nd District State House of Representatives seat. Democrat Cindy Ryu defeated him 61 percent to 39 percent in the general election.

Online election underway for Conservation District position

Online voting for a position on the King Conservation District board started Tuesday and will continue through March 13.

The Conservation District includes all of King County except the cities of Enumclaw, Federal Way, Milton, Pacific and Skykomish. All registered voters in the District are eligible to participate in the election.

Unlike other elections, those for positions on the boards of the State’s 47 conservation districts are not conducted by County elections officials or scheduled on dates set by the State Legislature. The 1930 law that established the conservation districts allows them to conduct their own elections using County voter-registered lists. The system saves the districts thousands of dollars.

King Conservation District officials have made some changes from last year’s first online election, Voters can now register, read the voters’ guide and cast their votes in a single session on a computer. Also new this year is an affidavit, which voters must print, sign and return to the District office by mail, fax or e-mail attachment. Voters must complete online voting by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, and send their signed affidavits with a postmark by Wednesday, March 14. The District considers all votes provisional until it can check signatures. This makes the affidavits the equivalent of a signed ballot envelope.

Voters can participate by logging on at http://www.kingcd.org/election-vote.htm and following directions.

Voters who lack internet access can use computers at the Shoreline Library or 10 other libraries around the County, or at the King Conservation District office Monday through Friday, Feb. 28 through March 12, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 13. The office is at 1107 S.W. Grady Way, Suite 130, Renton 98057.

While last year’s election had four candidates for a single position, this year’s election has only one candidate, Christopher “Kit” Ledbetter of Issaquah for one position.

Legislator from LFP‘s new district reports on District meeting, legislative session

 State Rep. Gerry Pollet, who represents the 46th Legislative District, which Lake Forest Park will join beginning with the 2012 elections, met with 17 Lake Forest Park voters Feb. 18.

He sent this report last week on the legislative session through Feb. 21:

“The House Budget unveiled today fully funds basic K-12 education and greatly reduces the cuts proposed for higher education! I've been working on access to our community and four-year colleges and universities, including working to reverse the proposed elimination of work-study and reductions in need grants. I'm pleased to let you know that the House budget would NOT cut work-study. Over 28,000 students who are eligible are already being denied Needs Grants. I am working to have any reduction in Needs Grants offset by prioritizing access to needs grants based on need (one might think that we already did this), and not giving front-of-the line access to high cost, for profit entities.”

Pollet sits on House committees on higher education, on education appropriations and oversight, and on the environment.

He was appointed to the House in 2011 to replace David Frockt, who moved to the Senate to replace the late Sen. Scott White.