KIRKLAND, WA (June 4, 2009) -- Former state representative Toby Nixon today announced that he has endorsed State Senator Fred Jarrett to be the next King County Executive.
"During my time in the state legislature, no member of either party earned my trust and respect more than Fred Jarrett," said Nixon, who served as state representative for the 45th District from 2002 through 2007. "Fred showed again and again that he is committed to working together in a non-partisan manner to implement the best solutions to the problems that face us, regardless of whose idea it is or who gets the credit. That's exactly the mindset we need in a County Executive if we're going to solve the serious problems that face King County."
"Fred Jarrett is a leader in promoting government efficiency and accountability, and strongly supports comprehensive independent performance audits," Nixon continued. "He has consistently advocated for setting high performance standards for government, and measuring outcomes to ensure that those standards are met. Implementing those principles in King County will help reduce waste and duplication and give us the high performance that taxpayers expect and deserve."
Nixon, a well-known advocate for government transparency and accountability, also touted Jarrett's commitment to open government. "The previous county executive was no friend of open government, and cost the taxpayers of King County hundreds of thousands of dollars because of his refusal to obey the law and disclose requested public records. Sen. Jarrett has publicly committed to support key principles of open government and to improve open government further, such as recording executive sessions, returning to the interpretation of public agency attorney-client communications privilege as it existed prior to the Hangartner decision, strengthening penalties for violations of the Public Records Act and the Open Public Meetings Act, and requiring electronic records to be produced in electronic form. Jarrett will change the culture of King County and bring a much-needed ray of sunshine." Nixon emphasized that his endorsement of Jarrett was personal and that the Washington Coalition for Open Government, which Nixon serves as president, does not endorse candidates for public office.
"Although Fred and I do not agree on every issue, I am convinced that he, more than any other candidate for county executive, has the experience, skills, vision, and leadership we need to restore fiscal responsibility and efficiency to King County government, properly prioritize the functions of government and ensure that essential services are provided, attract more family-wage jobs, and improve the quality of life for all King County residents."
Toby Nixon served as state representative for the 45th District from 2002-2007, and as ranking member of the House committee on State Government Operations and Accountability. He currently serves as president of the Washington Coalition for Open Government and on the boards of several other non-profit organizations. He chaired Citizens for Accountable Elections, which sponsored the successful campaign to make the King County Director of Elections a non-partisan elected office. Additional biographical information is available at www.tobynixon.com/bio.htm.
Wasn't Jarrett a former R who turned D when he could get more power by doing so, or was that someone else?
What is wrong with you Republicans?
Posted by: swatter on June 4, 2009 12:55 PMAnd yes, if you're supporting a well known member of the other party YOU have switched sides despite any claims to the contrary.
Posted by: Mark on June 4, 2009 02:34 PMMcGavick/Hutchison was a toss-up to me. There are several who say McGavick was anointed at the expense of Hutchison. He was supposedly more 'qualified' than Hutch as was McCain over any other R challenger for President.
As for experience,judgement, etc. being a criteria just take a look at what the USA voted for as president. He's doing the job.
It is time the Republicans get behind someone-anyone- to further the party in especially King County, if not Puget Sound. You guys can work wonders if you just get together. It'll be tough but politics is a 'contact' sport; nothing will be handed to you.
Hey, if you guys don't keep eating your own, maybe I'll join.
Posted by: swatter on June 4, 2009 03:43 PMThis is the Gregoire party. The Locke party. The Sims party that brought us Dean Logan, the Brightwater fiasco, stadiums without public votes, Sound Transit, multi-billion dollar tunnels for Seattle, and too many other abuses of the taxpayer to mention.
Toby Nixon is supporting a Democrat who rose to power pretending to be a Republican? Give me a break!
Posted by: Reality on June 5, 2009 08:05 AMThe moderates gave Crasswell a shot just because, so why not give Hutch a shot?
The important thing is that the Rs need to work together and not take the easy way out like Jarrett.
Posted by: swatter on June 5, 2009 08:14 AMI know little about Hutchinson, but she has said this,"We need a new direction in King County, with new leadership that does not believe the answer to every problem is a new fee or a higher tax."
Now I can imagine a whole lot of pro-business and pro-growth RINOs who would quietly shutter at the thought of cutting taxpayer-financed "investments" and halting tax and fee increases. Is it possible that some of these RINOs aren't really as concerned about restraining taxes and fees as they advertise? Supporting a DEMOCRAT for county executive would certainly suggest that one Republican in particular isn't all that concerned about protecting the peoples wallets.
Posted by: Reality on June 5, 2009 09:55 AMNow, I agree with Toby that the race is nonpartisan, but the Republicans need to build up a stable. A few years ago in a large city council race, there was a Republican who didn't do his homework and didn't attend his meetings. He was challenged by another with R credentials. The challenger was crucified by the party. The R won but soon after, just disappeared and therefore, there was no reason for the party to go after the challenger.
I think this case is different. I hope Toby reconsiders after the primary.
Posted by: swatter on June 5, 2009 12:35 PMConsider the current crisis facing the city, county, state, and nation - soaring unemployment, economic disruption, expanding government, massive deficits, wasteful spending, restrictions on liberty, and the looming threat of hyperinflation.
Obama and Gregoire - and the party of Obama and Gregoire - are promoting dangerous and disastrous policies which are only making things worse. They are promoting bailouts, phony stimulus packages, government interference in industries, and dependence on government.
These issues, and the need to offer conservative solutions to the problems facing the people of King County, are a major focus of discussion on this and other blogs.
Check out Fred Jarrett's website - in particular, his "issues" page. It is clear to me that Fred Jarrett is running for King County Executive for the same reasons he joined the Democratic Party - to promote the liberal, big government agenda.
I urge all SoundPolitics readers to please carefully review Jarrett's "issues" page and decide for yourself whether the Jarrett campaign is of any use to supporters of limited government, lower taxes, and less dependence on government.
http://www.vote4fred.com/issues/index.php
Posted by: Steve Beren on June 5, 2009 02:58 PMI hope Mr. Nixon will reconsider his endorsement.
Posted by: MadLib on June 8, 2009 07:36 AMDow and Ross Hunter have publicly stated they want to be governor. If either win this race, they will be a very serious threat to Rob Mckenna who represents the single greatest opportunity for the republicans to change the politics in this state. Larry and Fred have said they dont. While you can't trust them, if either of them win, given their age, political tenure and personalities, they are a significantly less threat to Rob in 12. This of course leaves Frank Chopp and Lisa Brown and potentially Gregoire herself, but those are separate, manageable issues.
What Susan has done by entering a race that she is ill prepared for and can't win, has provided an opening for another Seattle Communist Democrat to win. Her name id and gender takes just enough votes away from fred and ross on the eastside - who have business backgrounds and histories of working with republicans - and from Larry in the upper tiers of seattle and lets Dow pull all the crazy seattle liberals together to take 2nd in the primary. The Dem that takes 2nd in the primary wins the general.
Susan is doing more to hurt the republicans by being in this race than any democrat. Toby got it right but for the wrong reasons. Fred winning helps get Rob Mckenna elected governor in 2012. And that is all that matters...
Posted by: realitycheck on June 8, 2009 10:05 PMSounds like someone needs a Realitycheck.
Unbelievable comment. Toby, see what I mean? You will never get the party together with backhanded comments by the checker.
Posted by: swatter on June 9, 2009 12:47 PMFrom what I understand talking to folks that have worked with her directly, that might be all it took.
Posted by: BA on June 9, 2009 06:20 PMAnd, if so, for which party?
Posted by: Hinton on June 9, 2009 07:51 PM