Get to know the candidates in Waldron forum
The Waldron Community Meeting will host a forum July 12, 2-4 p.m., for candidates for County Council, District 4; and Superior Court judge.
The Waldron Community Meeting will provide transportation to and from the Waldron dock. Confirm at 360-317-8380, or call Waldron Freight at 360-317-8041.
Each candidate will have 5-10 minutes to present his or her position, followed by a question-and-answer session.
County Council District 4 includes Crane Island, Deer Harbor, Orcas, Waldron Island, and West Orcas Island. Council members serve four-year terms and receive $34,000 a year with benefits. Candidates are Jessica B. Bense, owner of a company specializing in biofeedback devices; Richard Fralick, former San Juan County freeholder; Mindy Kayl, former San Juan County freeholder; Alan Lichter, County Council member; and Bruce Orchid, who served on the former San Juan County Commission.
Superior Court judges serve four-year terms and are paid $148,832, half of which is paid by the state. Candidates are Randy Gaylord, San Juan County prosecuting attorney; and John Linde, a former District Court judge who was appointed to the Superior Court by Gov. Christine Gregoire last year when the position was created.
The primary election is Aug. 19. The general election is Nov. 4.
‘Welcome Wednesdays’ in Petersen’s office
Gordy Petersen, candidate for County Council, San Juan South, has scheduled “Welcome Wednesdays” throughout July. He will welcome people to his downtown office each Wednesday in July from 1-4 p.m.
The office is located next to Windermere, in the tower office at First and Spring streets.
Petersen said he is eager to meet people and listen to their concerns. “He will make himself available throughout the campaign and will continue to keep his door open to the people he hopes to represent if he is elected,” a press release stated.
Petersen can be reached at 378-9702 or www.gordyforcouncil.com
Petersen, a former San Juan County freeholder, is one of four candidates running for County Council, San Juan South. The others are businesswoman/farmer Lisa Guard, landscaper Daniel Miller Jr., and county planning commissioner Lovel Pratt.
County Dems open office on Fourth of July
The San Juan County Democrats are opening a headquarters, which will be known as “Democracy Corner,” on Friday right after the Fourth of July parade.
The headquarters, located at 28 N. First St., is the former site of Neil’s Images and Bison Gallery. Hours will be noon to 5 p.m. seven days a week.
(The Democrats will vacate the office July 18-20 to accommodate the Lummi Arts Festival, which is hosted in part by Friday Harbor House, owner of the building. The Democrats will return to the building after the festival.)
The office, run entirely through volunteer efforts, is designed to be a place to pick up campaign material, talk politics, watch debates and plan efforts for the fall campaign season.
“Those wishing to get involved should drop in to Democracy Corner after July 4,” Sarah Crosby said.
Ranker wins endorsements, raises $46,000
Kevin Ranker, Democratic candidate for the 40th District state Senate, has been endorsed by the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League.
He was also endorsed by the Service Employees International Union locals 925 and 775. New individual endorsers include 40th Legislative District Chairman Tom Pasma and 40th LD vice chairwomen Roni Beall and Erna Berghuys.
Ranker’s campaign reported outraising all other candidates in May and June with more than $46,000 in total contributions.
“I think it is important to get endorsed by the organizations that I consider the ‘good guys,’ ” Ranker said. “I am a strong supporter of all their causes: I’m for worker rights, for protecting women’s right to choose, and I am supportive of a vibrant cultural community.”
Dennis Angell, the Northwest region political organizer from SEIU 925, said, “We believe Kevin Ranker will provide the kind of leadership working families need to truly make improvements on issues like early childhood education, K-12 education reform and health care.”
Ranker is a San Juan County Council member, representing San Juan South. In addition, he chairs the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Council and the Washington Coastal Counties Caucus. and is a member of the Ecosystem Coordination Board of the Puget Sound Partnership.
Labor Council endorses Henderson
Ken Henderson, Democratic candidate for 40th District state Senate, has received the endorsement of the Washington State Labor Council.
“It’s a great honor for me to have the endorsement of the Washington State Labor Council,” Henderson said.
“In me, working women and men of our district and state will have a champion to fight for their issues: growing the economy, family wage jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education and economic and social justice.”
The Washington State Labor Council is the largest labor organization in our state and is the only organization representing all AFL-CIO unions in the state. It represents and provides services for hundreds of local unions and trade councils.
Henderson is an optometrist and lives in Bellingham. He served on the Bellingham Planning Commission and the Whatcom County Council.
