Victory for Obama and Democrats around the country came as a huge relief to gays as well as the entire world. In Washington State, Democratic Governor Gregoire was leading the anti-gay former State Senator Dino Rossi by a larger margin than expected. But sadness in California as Prop 8, which would change the constitution to make same-sex marriages illegal and possible void the vows for those that have already tied the knot, was leading by an uncomfortable margin and the Yes on 8 group has already claimed victory. Supporters of the Mormon Church reportedly invested over $20 million to see that the gays were stripped of their basic rights.
On a more positive note, King County Charter Amendment No. 2 – Prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression is passing with 71% of the vote. Unfortunately, King County Charter Amendment No. 8, making the County Council a Nonpartisan Election, is also passing. Charter Amendment No. 8 is an attempt by conservative interests to elect possibly anti-gay stealth candidates to the King County Council, in historically Democratic areas, by not requiring candidates to select a political party preference.
Here is a report from Washington State:
First, all five openly gay legislative candidates from around the state are leading in their election races:
21st District: Marko Liias: 66% – 34%
33rd District: Dave Upthegrove: 71% – 29%
34th District: Joe McDermott: 100% (unopposed)
43rd District: Jamie Pedersen: 100% (unopposed)
49th District: Jim Moeller: 64% – 36%
While Gregoire was leading Rossi for governor, Democrats also hope to defeat the incumbent Lands Commissioner Republican Doug Sutherland with Democrat Peter Goldmark holding a small lead in that race. Democrats were leading in all other Washington State Executive positions expect against gay friendly Republican Secretary of State Sam Reed and, unfortunately, against conservative Attorney General Republican Rob McKenna. Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson, who received a high 4 rating from SEAMEC, was trailing Randy Dorn, who was endorsed by the Executive Committee of the Democratic Party.
Sadly, the first openly lesbian judge, Jean Rietschel, was trailing 47%- 53% in her race for Superior Court Judge.
In Legislative races around Washington State:
KING COUNTY:
In the 41st District, Democrat Fred Jarrett, a longtime Republican who changed parties back in December and even advertised in the Seattle Gay News, is leading 61% – 39% for the Senate seat formerly held by Democrat Brian Weinstein. Democrat Marcie Maxwell is leading 54% – 46% for the Rep. seat which was formerly held by Jarrett and incumbent Democrat Judy Clibborn is also leading for the other Rep. seat. The 41st District appears to be solidly in Democratic hands and the 41st was a Republican District not too long ago.
Not just in King County, but all around the Puget Sound, from Everett down to Olympia, Democrats look like they will sweep just about every legislative race. Rather than list all of those, here are the exceptions:
In the 5th District, the only fully Republican District in all of King County, all three of their Republican incumbents are leading although the race between incumbent Republican Glenn Anderson and Democrat David Spring is too close to call with just 300 votes separating them.
In the 25th District near Puyallup, Democrat Rob Cerqui is trailing by just 150 votes for an open House seat being a vacated by an incumbent Republican possibly making the 25th, a conservative District back in the 90’s, represented fully by Democrats.
In the 30th District, former Federal Way Mayor Skip Priest, a “moderate” Republican, is leading for State Rep. but by just 300 votes.
And the 31st District, the “sorriest” District in King County, they are re-electing anti-gay Rep. Dan Roach, son of Senator Pam Roach along with a Democrat, Chris Hurst for the other seat. Go figure.
In the 45th District, Republican Toby Nixon trails incumbent Democrat Roger Goodman by a good margin, 45% – 55%. Nixon gave up this House seat to run for the Senate back in 2006 but lost.
OTHER PARTS OF WESTERN WASHINGTON
Democratic Senator Marilyn Rasmussen is leading once again in the Republican leaning 2nd District comprising parts of Pierce and Thurston Counties. Unfortunately, incumbent Republicans Jim McCune and Tom Campbell are also leading for the two House seats.
In the 10th District of Island County, incumbent Democrat Senator Mary Margaret Haugen is leading. Challenger, Democrat Tim Knue, is leading incumbent Republican Norma Smith for one of the State House seats.
In the 17th District, voters are looking to make this District blue for the first time in a long time. Longtime Republican Senator Don Benton is trailing by 150 votes and Democrat Tim Probst is leading 57% – 43% along with Democrat Deb Wallace, who is easily winning re-election. In the 90’s, this District elected some of the most anti-gay legislators in the state.
In the 26th District which includes Gig Harbor, Kitsap County Commissioner and Republican Jan Angel leads Democrat Kim Abel by less than 700 votes. This seat was formerly held by Democrat Pat Lantz. Lantz had held the seat since 1996 back when she defeated right-wing nut Lois McMahon.
In the 39th District, Republicans are leading all three seats including the former State Director of Concerned Women for America – Senator Val Stevens.
In the 40th District, Whatcom County, Republican Steve Van Luven, who represented the 48th District for 17 years, is losing by a large margin to Kevin Ranker for the open Senate seat. This one is huge because this is replacing former state Senator Democrat Harriet Spanel.
In the 44th District, Democrat Liz Loomis leads 53% – 46%. She was appointed to the post last fall to fill the seat vacated by Democrat John Lovick, who became Snohomish County Sheriff.
EASTERN WASHINGTON:
No real surprises at all over in Eastern Washington as Republicans appear to take almost every seat and Democrats sweep the 3rd District (Downtown Spokane).
In the Republican leaning 6th District near Spokane, incumbent Democrat Don Barlow is surprisingly trailing 49% – 51% in his race for re-election as state Representative. But also surprisingly, 6th District anti-gay Republican John Ahern, who voiced concern about people lying in order to get a domestic partnership, was trailing in his re-election race 49% – 51%.
In the 14th District of Yakima, rising star Democrat Vickie Ybarra is trailing 47% – 53%, as she attempts to be the first Democrat in like 25 years from that District.
Also, the longtime Repesentative in the 16th District, Democrat Bill Grant (Walla Walla) is leading by a comfortable margin.
That’s it for now more details as we get them…
Bill W. – Seattle Gay Scene
Go here for my complete rundown of the important close elections in Washington.
