Smith on Politics: 46th District Incumbent, Challenger Both Tout Endorsements

Editor's note: The 46th District Democrats have nominated not endorsed candidates so far.

The incumbent and challenger for a 46th District legislative seat are battling for endorsements.

The 46th District will include Lake Forest Park beginning with this year’s election.

Appointed 46th District incumbent Democratic State Rep. Gerry Pollet announced endorsements last week from 46th District State Sen. David Frockt, retiring 46th District State Rep. Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney, 32nd District State Sen. Maralyn Chase, 32nd District State Reps. Ruth Kagi and Cindy Ryu, Lake Forest Park Mayor Mary Jane Goss, Kenmore Mayor David Baker and the 46th District Democratic committee.

Redistricting has moved Lake Forest Park and Kenmore from the 32nd to the 46th District.

Pollet has held the position by appointment since Frockt gave up the seat to replace the late Democratic State Sen. Scott White.

Fellow Democrat Sylvester Cann, a former aide to White, has announced endorsements from King County Executive Dow Constantine former County Executive Ron Sims, County Councilmen Larry Gossett and Larry Phillips, Seattle City Councilmen Tim Burgess and Bruce Harrell, State Reps. Marko Liias and Kevin Van De Wege, Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland and Tacoma City Councilwoman Victoria Woodards.

Cann, who had been an unsuccessful applicant for the position last year got a big lead in fundraising while Pollet was barred from raising money during the extended legislative session, but Pollet has begun to close the gap.

Cann has reported raising $35,885 and spending $8,536. Pollet has reported raising $13,451 and spending $188.

In addition to endorsing Pollet, the 46th District Democrats have nominated Frockt for the final two years of the Senate seat he holds by appointment and Sarajane Siegfriedt, who is seeking the open House position along with three other Democrats and a Republican.

Two fellow Democrats challenge McDermott

Democratic Congressman Jim McDermott, whose 7th District will include all of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park, has two challengers, both Democrats.

One is Andrew Hughes, a tax attorney and former state legislative aide

The other is Donovan Rivers, a clergyman/and longtime Democratic Party activist.

Both have registered with the Federal Elections Commission, a step that allows them to raise and spend money for the August primary and November general election.

Candidates file for ballot positions May 14-18.

32nd District Dems endorse Kagi, Ryu, McDermott, Inslee

The 32nd Legislative District Democrats have given early endorsements to incumbent Congressman Jim McDermott, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee, incumbent State Reps. Ruth Kagi and Cindy Ryu, and Democratic secretary-of-state candidate Kathleen Drew.

District Democratic Chairwoman Carin Chase announced the endorsements April 11.

Chase says that she expects more endorsements in early May.

The District includes Shoreline, part of northwest Seattle, Lynnwood, Woodway, south Edmonds and unincorporated areas of southwest Snohomish County.

Kagi will be seeking her eighth two-year term and Ryu her second term in the State House of Representatives. Neither has an announced opponent.

McDermott will seek his 13th two-year term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Inslee has given up his seat in Congress to run for governor.

Drew, a former legislator from Issaquah and policy analyst for Gov. Christine Gregoire, is one of several candidates seeking to replace retiring Secretary of State Sam Reed. She now serves as a policy adviser at the state Department of Enterprise Services — an agency responsible for payroll and personnel, and managing contracts, real estate and supplies.

Candidate filing starts next week

The filing period for the August primary and November general election is May 14-18, but candidates will start filing Monday, April 30, when they can start filing by mail.

Online and in-person filers must wait until May 14.

Candidates for jurisdictions that are totally in King County, like the 46th Legislative District, file at the County elections office in Renton, but candidates for districts that cross county lines, like the 32nd Legislative District and the 7th Congressional District, file at the secretary of state's office in Olympia.

Elections officials encourage candidates to file online.

Candidates who come to the office are given a computer and directions for online filing.

Using online filing allows information to go directly into county and state elections records.

King County Republican convention Saturday 

The King County Republican Convention is scheduled for Saturday at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle.

Doors open at 7:30 a.m. with the meeting starting at 9:15 a.m.

Delegates from local caucuses meet at the convention to adopt the County party platform.

Non-delegates can attend for $35.

About this column: Journalist and Shoreline resident Evan Smith has covered local issues for nearly two decades. His politics column appears on Patch every other week.