Candidates interviewed by the Committee
Adam Cornell
Adam Cornell is running for Snohomish County Prosecutor. As of Thursday night, it appears that he is running unopposed.
Although the race is non-partisan, he seems to be a moderate Democrat, and a progressive. He has 15 years of experience as a deputy prosecutor, and this is the first time he’s run for elected office.
The committee liked his commitment to enhancing gun laws, although he does not support an outright ban on assault weapons. He is in favor of using alternatives to jail time to treat drug addicts, while continuing to prosecute drug dealers. He is opposed to mass deportations and deportations for witness or victims of crime, or for minor offenses, but he is prepared to work with federal authorities when it comes to serious crimes. He does not oppose the death penalty, but he would support a popular referendum to determine if it should be abolished in this state. He strongly opposes the use of private prisons.
The Endorsement Committee recommends that the body does endorse Adam Cornell.
Rebecca Wolfe
Rebecca is running for Snohomish County PUD Commissioner.
She is a conservationist and a strong progressive. She has a PhD, and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law and Policy. This is her first time seeking elected office.
She would favor policies that preserve local water resources, and minimize environmental impact. She would oppose efforts to commoditize our water. Among her top goals are bringing more transparency to the PUD, and promoting the construction of more energy efficient homes and buildings.
The Endorsement Committee recommends that the body does endorse Rebecca Wolfe.
Judge Jeffrey Goodwin
Judge Goodwin is running for reelection as District Court Judge for Snohomish County’s South District. He has 14 years of experience in that position.
Judicial ethics rules prevent Judge Goodwin from discussing political issues, or answering any questions that could be relevant to a case that could come before him. The committee was impressed, however, by his stated view that the legal process must not only be fair, in fact, but it must also seem fair. He is a strong supporter of the Snohomish County Mental Health Court, and of alternatives to incarceration for drug addicts.
Judge Goodwin receive an admonishment—a mild form of disciplinary action—from the court system in 2014. Court records indicate that he cooperated with the disciplinary process, and fulfilled all the requirements that were placed on his as a result. He spoke candidly about the admonishment with the committee, and we were convinced that the incident was not part of a pattern of behavior.
The Endorsement Committee recommends that the body does endorse Jeffrey Goodwin.
Mary Sandoval
Mary Sandoval is running for State Representative, Position 2. She is running against incumbent State Representative Lillian Ortiz-Self.
When filing, Mary declared no party preference, but she does identify herself as a Democrat in her questionnaire. She seems to be a centrist on certain positions. Her background includes a successful community improvement campaign in Fresno, CA, and she is proud to have been involved in the development of the Bullitt Center in Seattle, which is billed as “the greenest commercial building in the world.” This is her first time seeking office.
Mary’s priorities include environmental cleanup—especially with regard to superfund sites—and education reform. She favors raising teacher standards and believes it’s crucial that teachers have a passion for the subject they are teaching. The committee is concerned because she would not favor raising teacher salaries until after standards are raised, and also because she favors charter schools. We are further concerned that she hasn’t raised any money yet; Mary says she is confident in her in her own marketing abilities, and is not concerned with recruiting a campaign team. She also indicated that she intends to self-fund her campaign.
At this time, the Endorsement Committee does not recommend endorsing Mary Sandoval.
Lillian Ortiz-Self
Lillian Ortiz-Self is running for reelection as State Representative, Position 2.
The Committee was generally pleased with Representative Ortiz-Self’s answers on her questionnaire. We agreed with her on most issues, and where we did not agree she seems open minded. She is not sure if she would support ranked choice voting or taxing all unearned income at regular rates, and she would like to know more about guaranteed employment before she supports it. She supports the standards set by Common Core, but not the high stake testing. Her other priorities include addressing the mental health needs of our students, and closing the opportunity gap.
Representative Ortiz-Self is expected to attend the Endorsements meeting.
Stonewall Bird
Stonewall “Stoney” Bird is running for Federal Representative from Washington’s 2nd Congressional District. He identifies as a member of the Green Party.
The Committee was very pleased by Mr. Bird’s responses on our questionnaire. He has not taken a position with regard to Common Core. His priorities include allowing states to adopt proportional representation in congressional elections, a sharp reduction in military spending, and ensuring health care for all.
Candidates not interviewed by the Committee
Strom Peterson
Strom Peterson is running for reelection as a State Representative from the 21st LD, position 1.
The Committee is generally pleased with Mr. Peterson’s answers to our questionnaire. We would like to ask him about his position on building publically owned internet infrastructure, on a state bank, and on a guaranteed employment program.
According to the PDC, Mr. Peterson is running unopposed. He is expected to attend the Endorsements meeting today.
Steven Gonzalez
Justice Gonzalez is running for re-election as a Washington State Supreme Court Justice, position 8.
As a judicial nominee, Justice Gonzalez is prohibited from answering most political questions buy ethics regulations. However, in his questionnaire he did positively affirm that workers have a fundamental right to collectively bargain, and emphasized his experience as a union spokesperson and a member of the Seattle Prosecutor’s Union bargaining team. He would not, however, speak further on the issue, for fear that a related case could come before his bench in the future.
The Committee has some concerns about the amount of money that Justice Gonzalez has raised for his reelection, especially given that he does not appear to have a serious challenger. According to the PDC, Justice Gonzalez has out-fundraised his opponent by a factor of 72 to 1, and outspent that opponent by a factor of 20 to 1.
Justice Gonzalez is not expected to attend the Endorsements meeting.
Sheryl Gordon McCloud
Justice McCloud is running for reelection as a Washington State Supreme Court Justice, position 9.
Like Justice Gonzalez, Justice McCloud is prohibited from answering most political questions. She did not submit a 21st LD questionnaire, but she did forward to us her questionnaires for King and Snohomish Counties, as well as a list of her current endorsements.
According to the PDC, Justice McCloud is running unopposed. She is not expected to attend the Endorsements meeting today.
Rick Larsen
Congressman Rick Larsen is running for reelection as the Federal Representative from Washington’s 2nd Congressional District. He has not submitted a questionnaire, but he is expected to attend the Endorsements meeting, where he will be prepared to answer questions in person.
Pramila Jayapal
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal is running for reelection as the Federal Representative from Washington’s 7th Congressional District. (The 21st LD only overlaps with the 7th CD in Edmonds.)
The Congresswoman’s record indicates that she is a strong advocate for single payer health care, and she is a co-sponsor of H. R. 676, the Expanded & Improved Medicare For All Act. Her other indicated priorities include immigration reform, and 100% renewable energy.
Congresswoman Jayapal’s campaign submitted a completed questionnaire. The Committee has a concern because it is clear that the Congresswoman did not fill out the questionnaire herself, and it’s unknown if she took the time to review the answers being given in her name—the signature on the completed questionnaire is clearly not authentic.
Congressman Jayapal is not expected to attend the Endorsement meeting.