It could be a showdown between Kent’s Les Thomas and SeaTac’s Mia Gregerson for a House seat in the Legislature if the Municipal League of King County rankings prove accurate in the Aug. 5 primary race.
Thomas, an independent and member of the Kent City Council, and Gregerson, a Democrat, SeaTac Councilwoman and incumbent in the District 33, Position 2 House race, each received “good” ratings from the Municipal League, a member-driven, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works toward better government.
Republican Jeanette Burrage, a Des Moines City Councilwoman, and the third candidate in the District 33 race, received an “adequate” rating.
The two candidates who receive the most votes in the Aug. 5 primary advance to the Nov. 4 general election. King County Elections will mail primary ballots on July 16.
The Municipal League ratings are not endorsements. But volunteers assess each candidate’s potential to be effective in office and their ability to serve the community. Volunteers interview the candidates and others as well as read questionnaires to come up with the ratings.
The ratings include outstanding, very good, good, adequate and not qualified. A good rating means someone, “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.”
The King County Council appointed Gregerson in December to the House seat after Dave Upthegrove left to become a King County Councilman. She’s been part of the SeaTac City Council since 2008.
Thomas has served on the Kent City Council for 12 years. He served in the House from 1994-98.
Burrage was elected to the Des Moines City Council in 2012 and served two years on the council in 1994-95. She served two years as a state representative in 1981-82. She is a former King County Superior Court judge.
The Municipal League ratings of candidates in Kent-area races for the Legislature:
• House District 33, Position 1:
Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, “outstanding.” Michael Siefkes, R, “not qualified.”
• House District 33, Position 2:
Mia Gregerson, D-SeaTac, “good.” Les Thomas, independent-Kent, “good.” Jeanette Burrage, R-Des Moines, “adequate.”
• Senate District 33:
Karen Keiser, D-Kent, “outstanding.” Martin Metz, R-Des Moines, “adequate.” Marylin Taylor, D-SeaTac, “not qualified.”
• House District 47, Position 1:
Chris Barringer, D-Auburn, “very good.” Mark Hargrove, R-Covington, “adequate.”
• House District 47, Position 2: Pat Sullivan, D-Covington, “outstanding.” Barry Knowles, R, “not qualified.”
• Senate District 47: Joe Fain, R-Auburn, “outstanding.” Carol Barber, D-Kent, “adequate.”
To view candidates’ questionnaires, go to munileagueratings.org.
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