The Times recommends Hill, Haistings and Springer in the 45th Legislative District

Republicans Andy Hill, Kevin Hastings and Democrat Larry Springer

THREE recommendations for the 45th Legislative District offer candidates with a compelling mix of thoughtful ideas and demonstrated ability to address the state’s financial woes.

In the Senate race, Republican Andy Hill is endorsed to replace the Democratic incumbent Sen. Eric Oemig. Hill is full of cogent ideas to reshape state government priorities and spending away from deficits and tax increases. The Redmond resident is a former PTSA president and former Microsoft manager who led the tech company’s design of K-12 educational software.

Oemig is a Seattle-style liberal in a district much more moderate. Government budgets grew when they should have been shrinking. He was part of the Democratic-controlled Legislature that refused to acknowledge the economic train wreck building. Oemig voted to suspend Initiative 960, the two-thirds rule on raising taxes, he also supported an unsustainable state budget that raised taxes.

By contrast, Hill offers the potential for strong leadership and a sharp focus on priorities of economic growth, job creation and funding public schools.

For Position 1, Republican Kevin Haistings would bring a pragmatic, independent voice to the principal task in Olympia: wrestling a tight budget. The Carnation resident and Seattle Police Department sergeant is a political novice. Haistings’ budget approach — which includes looking at spending and asking not if a program is of value, but rather who should bear the cost — ought to be the standard in Olympia. Haistings proposes a public-private partnership to help pay for parks and other public needs.

Rep. Roger Goodman is the Democratic incumbent. An attorney, Goodman is best known for drug-law reform. But his tenure lacked independent leadership and efforts toward pragmatic budget solutions.

For Position 2, incumbent Democrat Larry Springer has earned the confidence of voters and another term in office. Springer is a smart, moderate voice with considerable legislative experience. In addition to the Legislature, Springer served 11 years on the Kirkland City Council — four as mayor.

The 45th District, which stretches from Kirkland past Carnation, is best served by Hill, Haistings and Springer.

To see the original article (click here)

State Dems face tough races

Many incumbent Democratic legislators in the Seattle suburbs emerged from the August primary in tough races, and many will have to fight hard to retain their seats.

By Nicole Tsong

Seattle Times Eastside reporter

Several Democratic state legislators in the Seattle suburbs emerged from this month’s primary election to find themselves in tough races against strong Republican challengers.

Some incumbents finished second in the Aug. 17 primary behind GOP candidates helped along by the sour economy, state budget problems and a national anti-incumbent mood.

Republicans say the primary results foreshadow GOP gains this fall in the state House and Senate. Democrats, though, say they’ll work to energize their voters and shift momentum their way for the November general election.

With only a few primary ballots still trickling in late last week, Sen. Claudia Kauffman, D-Kent, was more than 11 percentage points behind Republican Joe Fain in the 47th District. In the 41st District, state Sen. Randy Gordon, D-Bellevue, trailed Republican Steve Litzow by a few dozen votes.

In the 45th, Sen. Eric Oemig, D-Kirkland, was behind Republican Andy Hill by roughly 3 percentage points, while state Rep. Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland, was less than 1 percentage point ahead of Republican Kevin Haistings.

“I came up 900 [votes] and change behind, and that was surprising,” Oemig said. “If I look up and down the 405 corridor, I saw a pretty consistent pattern.”

Oemig was elected as part of a Democratic wave in 2006 — fueled in part by voter anger toward then-President George W. Bush — that helped Democrats take a larger majority in the state Senate.

Hill said voters are concerned about spending in Olympia, particularly the vote to suspend Initiative 960, which required a two-thirds majority in the Legislature to raise taxes. Oemig voted to suspend the initiative and also supported a state budget that raised taxes to help bridge a $2.8 billion shortfall and avoid deeper cuts.

“I think there’s a big disconnect between what the people want and what Olympia and the Legislature is doing,” Hill said. “The senator is part of the majority.”

Chris Vance, former state Republican Party chairman, said Washington’s primary system, which sends the top two vote-getters to the general election regardless of political party, is a good predictor for how each party will do in the general election.

But Democrats argue they had low turnout in the primary. If they can get Democrats to vote in November, Democratic consultants say, they’ll reverse some of the primary results.

“I don’t see it as much about persuading people to vote Democratic as much as I see it persuading people to vote,” said political consultant Christian Sinderman.

Vance thinks enough legislative races are in play statewide that Republicans have a chance to win back the state House and maybe the Senate. Democrats now have a 61-37 majority in the House and a 31-18 majority in the Senate. The GOP would need to win an additional 13 House seats and seven Senate seats to take the majority in those chambers.

Vance predicts Republicans will do well this year, although they won’t be as dominant as in 1994, when the GOP captured a big majority in the House.

“It shows Washington state politics returning to normal, meaning a closely divided state between the two parties,” he said. “During the Bush years, the Democrats picked up a bunch of seats they have no business holding. They’re going to lose them this cycle.”

Democrats counter that some of these suburban races are not as close as Republicans say. Sinderman said many suburban districts have grown increasingly Democratic as they’ve become more urban and diverse. Democrats may lose some seats, he said, but he does not think they will give up the majority in either the Senate or the House.

Primary results also point to tight races in the 25th District, where state Rep. Dawn Morell, D-Puyallup, is trying to fend off Republican challenger Hans Zeiger, and in the 44th District, where state Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, faces Republican Dave Schmidt.

In Whatcom County, Rep. Kelli Linville, D-Bellingham, chairwoman of the House Ways and Means Committee, trailed her Republican challenger, Vincent Buys, in the 42nd District. In Spokane’s 6th District, Sen. Chris Marr was behind Republican Michael Baumgartner by nearly 7 percentage points.

Rep. Geoff Simpson, D-Covington, also is in a tough race with Republican Mark Hargrove in the 47th District.

Former state Democratic Party Chair Paul Berendt, who now works as a political consultant, said voters are yearning for change and that incumbents need to figure out a way to position themselves as outsiders.

“It’s going to be tough for a lot of people who’ve been in the Legislature and have a track record of working together,” he said. “It’s going to be important to run as an independent, as an outsider, someone who is not beholden to any special interests.”

Kauffman said she was disappointed with the primary vote but thought low voter turnout contributed to the results.

“I’m completely energized to move forward and take my campaign into high gear,” she said in a voice-mail message.

Haistings, the Republican challenging Rep. Goodman in the 45th District, said a lot of voters are frustrated. Some felt betrayed when the Legislature suspended Initiative 960.

“It’s really about living within our means, it’s reducing our spending and controlling the size of our state government” and creating private-sector jobs, he said.

But Goodman said his district, which stretches from Kirkland past Carnation, is split right down the middle between Democrats and Republicans. It will be a tight election, he said, but he believes he’ll prevail.

“The primary election is like a gut reaction whereas the general will be more of a measured response,” Goodman said.

Oemig said he was focused before the primary on getting his message out to a broad group of voters. He thought his and Goodman’s district, one of the most highly educated in the state, would be more immune to a perceived anti-incumbent sentiment. But now, he is homing in on his base.

“What we saw with the primary turnout is the people who support me and support Democrats generally are just not very enthusiastic right now,” Oemig said. “We need to turn that around.”

To see the original article click here

Oemig in 45th District State Senate battle

Aug 19 2010, 10:47 AM · UPDATED

Based on early primary elections returns, several local races are setting the stage for a tight battle in November.

As of Thursday morning, Republican candidate for state Senate from the 45th District and Redmond resident, Andy Hill, was beating incumbent Democrat and Kirkland resident Eric Oemig 51.20-48.68 percent.

Hill said the early results send a strong signal that “my message is resonating. There is disconnect between what the people want and what’s going in Olympia. Olympia isn’t listening.”

Oemig sent the Reporter a message through his iPhone, saying he is confident he will come out on top come November.

“It will be a close race,” said Oemig, who has represented the 45th District since 2007. “This is a swing district. I represent our values well. I expect that when everyone has had a chance to vote in November I will win.”

In the Legislative Districts affecting Redmond — Districts 45 and 48 — only two candidates had filed for each of the positions to be filled so they will automatically advance to the November election. But primary election results show voters’ preferences at this time and like the Hill-Oemig battle, many of the local legislative races are quite close.

State Rep. Roger Goodman, a Democrat who holds Position 1 in the 45th Legislative District, held a slim 50.35-49.53 percent lead over Republican challenger Kevin Haistings. Democrat Larry Springer, a Kirkland resident, held a wider margin against challenger Republican Mark Isaacs, 55.06-44.80 percent for Position 2.

The 48th District state Senate race is led by Democrat incumbent Rodney Tom, who holds a 52.26-47.57 percent over Republican challenger Gregg Bennett.

Medina Democrat Ross Hunter, who holds Position 1 in the 48th District, is beating Republican challenger Diane Tebelius, 54.56-45.32 percent. In the Position 2 race, Democrat incumbent Deb Eddy is leading Republican challenger, Philip Wilson, 53.83-46.04 percent.

In the race for United States Senator, it will be incumbent Democrat Patty Murray against Republican challenger Dino Rossi in November. Murray received the most votes with 58.28 percent. Rossi was second with 27.93 percent.

United States Rep. Dave Reichert whose Eighth Congressional District includes parts of Redmond, earned 46.80 percent of the votes and will be challenged by Suzan DelBene in November as she received 28.64 percent of the vote in a field of nine candidates. In the First District, which also includes parts of Redmond, Democrat incumbent Jay Inslee holds a strong lead, 58.94-27.80 percent, over Republican challenger James Watkins.

Here are the two leading candidates for the Aug. 17 primary races involving Redmond, Congressional Districts 1 and 8 and U.S. Senate:

Legislative District 45

With 22,289 ballots counted out of 82,597 registered voters (26.99 percent), newcomer Andy Hill (Republican) is leading with 10,976 votes (5l.20), while incumbent Eric Oemig has 10,436 votes (48.68 percent).

For State Representative, Position 1, incumbent Roger Goodman (Democrat) is leading with 10,612 votes (50.35 percent) and Kevin Haistings (Republican) has 10,438 votes (49.53 percent).

For State Representative, Position 2, incumbent Larry Springer (Democrat) is leading with 11,678 votes (55.06 percent) and Mark Isaacs (Republican) has 9,502 votes (44.80 percent).

Legislative District 48

With 19,399 votes counted out of 66,950 registered voters (28.98 percent), the State Senate race is led by incumbent Rodney Tom (Democrat) with 9,868 votes (52.26 percent) and Gregg Bennett (Republican) has 8,983 votes (47.57 percent).

For State Representative, Position 1, incumbent Ross Hunter (Democrat) is leading with 10,192 votes (54.56 percent) and Diane Tebelius (Republican) has 8,466 votes (45.32 percent).

For State Representative, Position 2, incumbent Deb Eddy (Democrat) is leading with 9,938 votes (53.83 percent) and Philip L. Wilson (Republican) has 8,501 votes (46.04 percent).

Congressional District 1

With 42,049 ballots counted, out of 150,988 registered voters (27.85 percent), incumbent Jay Inslee (Democrat) is leading with 23,786 votes (58.94 percent) and James Watkins (Republican) is next with 11,219 votes (27.80 percent).

Congressional District 8

With 96,593 ballots counted of 348,750 registered voters (27.70 percent), incumbent Dave Reichert (Republican) is leading with 43,859 votes (46.80 percent), followed by Suzan DelBene (Democrat) with 26,846 votes (28.64 percent).

United States Senate

With 286,130 ballots counted out of 1,074,731 registered voters (26.62 percent) incumbent Patty Murray (Democrat) is leading with 165,462 (58.28 percent) of the votes. Dino Rossi (Republican) is next with 79,291 (27.93 percent) of the votes.

For complete King County Election results, click here.

To view the original article at the Redmond Reporter click here.

A good friend Climbed Mt Rainier last week to raise funds for cancer, and planted an “Andy Hill for Senate” t-shirt at the summit:

This “Climb for Cancer” was really about supporting people fighting cancer, celebrating health and showing determination – and no one exemplifies these qualities more than Andy Hill. I’m excited for him as he takes on his next challenge as a Senator, and I just wanted to bring Andy’s “Hill for Senate” campaign to the highest hill in the state.

Can Republicans’ resurgence begin on Eastside?

State Senate race eyed as key test

By Dan Catchpole
SPECIAL TO SEATTLEPI.COM

Thursday, July 29, 2010  |  Link to the Story

The 45th Legislative District is in some ways a microcosm of Washington. Agriculture dominates its eastern side in Carnation and Duvall. Its western portion in Kirkland and Woodinville is white-collar, middle class, with a fair number of dot-com millionaires.

The state Republican Party wants to retake the district’s state Senate seat in its bid to return from near political obscurity in Olympia. Democrats enjoy a 31-18 advantage in the Senate and hold a 61-37 edge in the House. The GOP feels it needs to re-establish itself in Seattle’s eastern suburbs, where it used to dominate.

In the 45th, Republican challenger Andy Hill is taking on the incumbent, state Sen. Eric Oemig, D-Kirkland. Both are former Microsoft managers who espouse data–based policymaking. Both candidates are touting public fiscal responsibility, job creation and education reform to voters.

But Hill is criticizing Oemig and the Democrat majority in the Legislature for raising taxes and overturning three initiatives, including Initiative 960, which required a two-thirds majority for the Legislature to raise taxes.

Oemig counters that he did what had to be done to close the state’s $2.8 billion budget gap, and that Hill doesn’t offer details for solutions along with his criticisms.

Oemig, 42, was elected in 2006 as part of the Democratic wave that took control of the historically-Republican Eastside that year and in 2008. He beat well-known Republican state House member Toby Nixon for an open seat.

While Oemig focused on issues such as the environment, transportation and education in that race, he’s talking about fiscal reform and responsibility this time around. Gone too are proposals for expanding the public sector.

The state needs to adopt long-term spending reforms to redesign Olympia’s “book of business,” rather than just focusing on short-term cuts, he said. “That’s what we’ve done with drop-out prevention” with low-income children, Oemig said. “What you see there is paying back in the sense of closing a prison, lowering or significantly dropping our (Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration) caseload. Those are huge savings. That’s not, can we fire one or two employees or can we cut pay by five or 10 percent. That is shuttering an institution.”

But, Oemig acknowledges, those cost savings can take years to materialize.

Olympia’s priorities are out of sync with 45th district voters, Hill said. Rather than raise taxes, the Legislature should have cut spending, such as by shuttering the state’s public printing office.

“We’ve got an addiction to spending,” he said.

At the same time, Hill has gone after Oemig and the Democratic majority for overturning I-960 and two education initiatives, I-728 and I-732, which would have increased the state budget.

The Legislature should have offset them with cuts elsewhere, Hill said. “You’re choosing not to pay for one thing and pay for other things.”

He is confident his message will resonate with the district’s voters. Winning the race will come down to “getting my name and my message out,” Hill said.

Sammamish resident Bill Daily shares Hill’s concern about the state’s fiscal management.

“We’re just getting taxed to death,” the self-described moderate Republican said when Hill rang his doorbell during a recent campaign walk.

State fiscal policy has been on a rollercoaster in recent years, he said. “I’d rather see more disciplined and level spending and results.”

State Republicans are banking on that sentiment carrying their candidates to victory in November and helping the party retake control of the Eastside.

“It’s not a matter of having to tell people about esoteric issues. These are issues that are on the forefront for people,” State Republican Chairman Luke Esser said.

The Republican Senate Campaign Committee has already launched an anti-Oemig website, Oemig File, which attacks the senator for reckless spending and shortchanging education.

Many liberal and self-proclaimed nonpartisan groups, such as the Sierra Club and NARAL, have lined up behind Oemig’s campaign.

The election will be “a referendum on do my people think I made the right choices on their behalf” by cutting some services, keeping others, and raising taxes and other revenue sources to cover the difference, Oemig said.

Eastside Democrats are vulnerable, said Todd Donovan, a political science professor at Western Washington University.

The Eastside has become less conservative, but 2006 and 2008 represented a high-water mark for the Democrats, he said. “The war in Iraq was the No. 1 issue” in 2006.

Overturning I-960 could hurt Democrats in competitive districts, such as the 45th, where it just barely failed to pass.

“I think the political wind is at my back,” Hill said.

WITH BIG GATHERING IN WOODINVILLE

- EVENT RAISES $30,000 FOR CAMPAIGN -

“Olympia has lost touch with the people it claims to represent and I am running to make big changes,” Hill said. “The only way to change Olympia is to change the people we elect to represent us.”

Hill stated that his top priorities would be policies that encourage economic growth and job creation along with funding our schools to give the state’s children the greatest opportunities.

Andy Hill and his family were joined by Attorney General Rob McKenna, Secretary of State Sam Reed, King County Councilmembers Kathy Lambert and Jane Hague, Senate Republican Leader Mike Hewitt, former Senator Bill Finkbeiner and a host of city council members from across the district who all joined in endorsing him. Andy Hill has lived in Washington State for more than twenty years.A graduate of Colgate University and Harvard Business School, he worked for Microsoft where he was most successful in turning around troubled projects. He also led the company’s design of innovative K-12 educational software. He has served as PTSA President, a volunteer math tutor for the area’s kids, a youth soccer and lacrosse coach and as President of Lake Washington Soccer

Association. Most recently he was successful bringing together citizens, property owners and local government to build nine new athletic fields for the area’s young athletes while, at the same time, returning a historical piece of Sammamish Valley agricultural land to active organic farming.

Andy Hill filed today as a candidate for State Senate in the 45^th legislative district and said that he is an ordinary citizen running to make big changes in Olympia.

“This state is headed in the wrong direction and it’s time for real change in Olympia,” Hill said. “Our state government’s priorities are out of sync with the people it represents, and we are on a path that will lead to higher deficits and massive tax increases. That is the wrong vision of the future for Washington State.”

Hill stated that his top priorities would be policies that encourage economic growth and job creation along with funding our schools to give the state’s children the greatest opportunities.

“The only way to change Olympia is to change the people we elect to represent us,” Hill added.

Andy Hill has lived in Washington State for more than twenty years. A graduate of Colgate University and Harvard Business School, he worked for Microsoft where he was most successful in turning around troubled projects.  He also led the company’s design of innovative K-12 educational software.  He has served as PTSA President, a volunteer math tutor for the area’s kids, a youth soccer and lacrosse coach and as President of Lake Washington Soccer Association. Most recently he was successful bringing together citizens, property owners and local government to build nine new athletic fields for the area’s young athletes while, at the same time, returning a historical piece of Sammamish Valley agricultural land to active organic farming.

Hill has been endorsed by local elected officials, business leaders, community activists and voters from across the District. He lives in Redmond with his wife Molly and their three children. For more information, visit www.AndyHillforSenate.com .

By J.B. Wogan

Republican Andy Hill, 47, says he doesn’t want to be a career politician. That’s not what Olympia needs right now.
“I think that they need more common citizens,” Hill said. “I’m not the kid who in third grade started dreaming about running for office … even if I become elected, I don’t know that I want to call myself a ….. Read more

Andy Hill Running for State Senate in 45th District

“I am running to make a difference for the families and communities of this district,” said Hill. I care deeply about this area and we need to make things better.” Hill will challenge incumbent Eric Oemig.

“Olympia is not working,” said Hill. “Whether it’s irresponsible tax increases, unsustainable spending levels or indifference to the burdens placed on small businesses, our families and employers in this state cannot take much more. It’s time for a change.”

Hill said that while ordinary citizens in the state are being forced to adjust to the current economic challenges, state government has continued to increase spending and is now planning to raise taxes on struggling businesses and families. Instead, Hill emphasized that the state legislature needs to enact policies that will foster economic growth and job creation.

“The only way to change Olympia is to change the people we elect to represent us,” Hill added.

Andy Hill has lived in Washington State for more than twenty years. A graduate of Colgate University and Harvard Business School, he worked for Microsoft where he was most successful in turning around troubled projects. He also led the company’s design of innovative K-12 educational software. He has served as PTSA President, a volunteer math tutor for the area’s kids, a youth soccer and lacrosse coach and as President of Lake Washington Soccer Association. Most recently he was successful bringing together citizens, property owners and local government to build nine new athletic fields for the area’s young athletes while, at the same time,

returning a historical piece of Sammamish Valley agricultural land to active organic farming.

Hill has been endorsed by local elected officials, business leaders, community activists and voters from across the District. He lives in Redmond with his wife Molly and their three children.