Municipal League of King County rankings for local candidates for the state Legislature ranged from “adequate” for State Rep. Geoff Simpson (the 47th District incumbent for Position 1) to “outstanding” for Joe Fain (the challenger in the District 47 State Senator race), and State Rep. Pat Sullivan (the unopposed incumbent for State Representative, Position 2.)
Nancy Wyatt received a “very good” rating and Mark Hargrove a “good rating” in the District 47, state Rep. Position 1 race against Simpson.
The Municipal League released its ratings Monday.
In 2008, Simpson was rated “very good” and Hargrove “adequate” by the league. Simpson won re-election in 2008.
Simpson faces legal problems in his personal life as the Seattle City Attorney’s office has filed gross misdemeanor assault charges against him stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident with his former wife that occurred May 22 at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Simpson has a preliminary hearing at 2:30 p.m. July 26 in Seattle.
Simpson, a Democrat, has served for 10 years in the state House representing the 47th District. He was a member of the Covington City Council prior to being elected to the Legislature. He has worked as a firefighter and emergency medical technician for the Kent Fire Department for the past 25 years and lives in Covington.
King County election officials will mail out ballots July 28 for the Aug. 17 Primary Election.
The two candidates who receive the most votes in each race will advance to the Nov. 2 General Election.
The rankings of local candidates included:
• Legislative District 33, State Senator
Jack Michalek – Good
Karen Keiser – Very Good
• Legislative District 47, State Rep. Pos. 1
Nancy Wyatt – Very Good
Geoff Simpson – Adequate
Mark Hargrove – Good
• Legislative District 47, State Rep. Pos. 2
Pat Sullivan – Outstanding
Rodrigo M. Yanez – Good
• Legislative District 47, State Senator
Joe Fain – Outstanding
Claudia Kauffman – Very Good
The ratings and questionnaires filled out by candidates are available at www.munileague.org.
The incumbents are Keiser, Simpson, Sullivan and Kauffman.
State Rep. Dave Upthegrove, District 33, Position 1, and Tina Orwall, District 33, Position 2, are running unopposed and therefore were not rated by the Municipal League.
To determine candidate ratings, volunteers throughout King County joined the Municipal League’s Candidate Evaluation Committees to study the public record, review candidate questionnaires, speak with references, and conduct interviews with candidates, according to a Municipal League media release.
Committee members then rate each candidate on four criteria: Involvement, character, effectiveness and knowledge.
The possible ratings are: Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Adequate, Not Qualified and Insufficient Information to Rate.
The non-partisan ratings process is similar to a job interview and investigates each candidate’s potential to be effective in the office he or she seeks and to beneficially serve the community. Political affiliations or stances on particular issues are not considered during the league rating process.
“Our people and process are what make these ratings such important tools for voters,” said Matthew Stubbs, the Muni League’s Candidate Evaluation Committee Chair. “Committee volunteers commit to a nonpartisan assessment process that has been developed and refined by the league for the past 100 years. We use that same process with each candidate we evaluate to make sure league ratings are fair and consistent.”
The breakdown of the ratings include:
Outstanding – has made numerous outstanding contributions requiring skills related to the office, is a path-finding and respected leader, brings knowledge and creativity to issues facing the office.
Very Good – makes significant contributions, is a skilled builder of consensus, inspires confidence in the way he/she would serve, is thorough and attentive to issues.
Good – has been active and effective in many roles, is capable of moving people to productive action, has strong record of participation in problem solving, shows satisfactory commitment to tackling issues.
Adequate – has a record of participation and interest, is effective on specific issues, has provoked questions about suitability as an office holder, will need significant time/energy to fill gaps in knowledge.
Not Qualified – doesn’t appear engaged, has a record that casts doubt on ability to be productive, hasn’t demonstrated ability to deal with responsibilities of office, has narrow focus, inflexible attitude or is otherwise troubling.
The league does not use political affiliations as part of its rating process.
Each candidate for partisan office may state a political party for the ballot that he or she prefers.
The local candidates who prefer the Democratic party are Keiser, Simpson, Sullivan and Kauffman.
The local candidates who prefer the Republican party are Michalek, Wyatt, Hargrove, Yanez and Fain.
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