How To Vote In WA State Primary?

I received my Washington State Primary ballot today in the mail.  Is there any Washington kossacks here who would like to help me out with my decisions?  I'm in the 17th District.  I already know that I'm voting Patty Murray--duh--and Brian Baird for my Rep.  But I'm still not sure on Governor.  I lean toward Gregoire--and I'm pretty sure she's going to win it anyway--but Sims seems interesting, too.  I'm intrigued by his tax plan, though the no taxes on businesses leaves me a bit leery.  Also, any opinions on the Attorney General race?  Senn or Sidran?  Why?

I'm going with Waadevig for State Senator in the 17th.  For State Rep (Position 1) I'm not sure if I should go Ferrell or Campbell.  I know Ferrell's name more, but that doesn't mean she's the better candidate.  And hey, if anyone wants to throw out an opinion on County Commissioner (Harris or Hagensen--yeah, yeah, I know I'm getting obscure now) then that would be great.

I'm going to do some research on my own, of course, but any opinions here from locals would be greatly appreciated.  You can talk issues, electability or both--whatever you think is relevant.  Thanks!

•  I'm voting Sims...

  The tax plan is stupendous.  I doubt he'll win, but replacing the most regressive form of tax (sales) with the most progressive (income) would be a real move towards a sane taxation policy.  I don't have strong feelings either way about the business tax, and I think the progressive individual taxes would be superb.  

  by kevdawg on Fri Aug 27, 2004 at 07:51:35 PM PDT

  •  Tax Plan

    Certainly the individual tax levels seemed like a great idea.  The business part leaves me wondering, but I'm not automatically against it.  I just wish I had a better insight--or analysis--about what it really means.  Is it a great way to bring in more businesses and boost the economy or is it a great way for businesses to dodge paying their fair share of taxes?

    But yeah, I like the individual levels, for sure.  It seems very progressive.  I wonder if it could actually pass--but even if it couldn't, I like the idea of a governor who is focused on working on the problem and improving it.

    by aimlessmind on Fri Aug 27, 2004 at 07:55:43 PM PDT

  •  Business taxes

    You pay when you take it out as income. But I don't know how this works for big companies with WA components that pay B&O now. I only know that for my business (S. Corp.) we would be relieved of B&O taxes, which would instead flow to our bottom line, and when we realize our profit for the year it would be taxed as income at 10% vs. 1.5% on B&O. Sucks for us, but for a bigger business it frees up money to reinvest, hire more people, etc. We just aren't trying to grow so we wouldn't reinvest.

    We'd pay a lot more under Sims' plan, and as much as I really like him it's tough to imagine paying an additional 10% of our income in taxes. It's deductable on Fed returns so really comes to about another 6.5% of our income in taxes. Don't know how much we'd save in sale tax, at most anohter 1% maybe, leaving us at a net 5.5% of income in increased taxes.

    It's a lot but I'd pay it for better education and care of kids in the state system. It's not revenue neutral...brings in more money which I think the state needs but I think it won't be popular.

    I still think he's the right guy. Listen to him speak and he's smart and straightforward...not a typical politician. Ask him a question and he knows the answer. A cynical friend who's worked at big corporations worked for the county (from MPA to botonist...talk about a career change) and had high praise for Sims. She's not too loose with the praise so that says something.

    So for me, Sims it is.

    by Joan in Seattle on Fri Aug 27, 2004 at 10:12:05 PM PDT

    •  Whoa, I'm an idiot

      The B&O is 1.5% of Revenues, and income tax is only on profit. As Emily Littela would say, "That's very different."

      I'm feeling better now!

      by Joan in Seattle on Fri Aug 27, 2004 at 10:26:47 PM PDT

•  Sims, too

  largely because of the tax plan. He's a very smart guy.

  As is Mark Sidran, but I still have a pretty bad taste in my mouth from his stint as city attorney. His civility laws were really pretty draconian and bizarre--focusing on some petty stuff. I've never been hugely impressed with Senn, though, so I'm not excited about this race, and would like to hear what others have to say.

  Can't help on the senator and rep stuff.

  by mcjoan on Fri Aug 27, 2004 at 08:11:49 PM PDT

•  Definitely Sims

  Sound Transit (sticking to it through major political criticism to see construction actually begin), his plan to restructure Washington state taxes, his support of gay marriage.  These are marks of political courage and strategic vision, sadly lacking in his opponent.

  Don't be so sure she's going to win.  Who is going to turn out in this closed primary?  The Sims democrats are energized.

  I lean Senn because she's a progressive Democrat and she's had a bit of a bad rap in the press. Sidran likes to call himself a law and order Democrat.  That leaves me cold.

  I can't help you with your local folks, sorry.

  by Ms. American Pie on Fri Aug 27, 2004 at 09:04:52 PM PDT

  •  Thanks

    I particularly like his support of gay marriage.  I'm definitely leaning toward Sims now.

    by aimlessmind on Fri Aug 27, 2004 at 10:00:48 PM PDT

  •  Don't like her

    She doesn't play well with others. She really screwed up the private insurance market in the 90s. I know, because I was in it at the time and still am. She took good ideas way to far and alienated the insurance industry. The private market fell apart as a result, and lots of people had a hell of a time finding any insurance. (I know many self-employed people.)

    Her mistake was eliminating any wait period for pre-existing conditions. So you could wait to be diagnosed with cancer before you got insurance and they had to give it to you. That makes no sense to me, and ins. cos lost a lot of money and many pulled out of the private market completely.

    I don't like her and I don't think she comes off as likable and question whether she'd win. Cantwell just killed her in the primary and it's not like Senn had no name recognition. Sidran is smart and has appeal to the middle. I like him despite his civility laws being a bit too far. For the most part, they made sense to me.

    by Joan in Seattle on Fri Aug 27, 2004 at 10:18:38 PM PDT

    •  Deborah Senn

      She's forever looking to higher pastures... That's what happens when you elect someone with no grasp of the insurance market, (or any industry that they have the charge of regulating).  No matter how well intentioned people may be, it doesn't serve the public to elect unexperienced and/or uneducated social climbers (reference shrub).

      As to the state of the insurance market, many WA sole proprietors would be appalled to discover that their democratic leadership, with the approval of the governor, took away their ability to get purchase insurance this summer...

      by areucrazy on Fri Aug 27, 2004 at 11:02:46 PM PDT

•  I'm next to you in the 18th LD

  Here's my recommended slate of candidtes:

  Governor: Sims - get rid of the regressive B&O tax.  I'm a small business owner with two employees (myself and my wife) and believe me, B&O tax will really help small business formation in Washington State.

  AG: Sidran - hold you nose, but he is a far better manager than Senn.  His "bust the homeless" campaign against the homeless in Seattle didn't win too many Dem friends.

  State Senate, 17th LD: Waadevig - great choice who will really deliver in the 17th against Don Benton.  Paul has both an MBA and law degree and really understands job creation issues, a focused sorely needed in our county with an 8% unemployment rate.  Remember, in the state senate, the Republicans have only a one-seat majority.

  State House, Position 1: Ilene Ferrell - journeyman electrician and small business owner.  I know Ilene pretty well, and she'll deliver for working families.  

  County Commissioner: Jeanne Harris - Hagensen is THE developers candidate.  Not sure why he is running in the Democratic primary other than to mess up Harris' chances.  He opposes growth management.

  Now, in every single one of these races, The Columbian endorsed the candidate that I recommended to you.  That should tell you something ;-)

  You can always post your question over at DemocracyForVancouver -- I'm sure there are plenty of folks over there you can throw out some more detailed recommendations.

  by chrischross on Fri Aug 27, 2004 at 09:36:38 PM PDT

  •  Arghhh

    I meant to say The Columbian endorsed the candidate exactly OPPOSITE my recommendation.

    by chrischross on Fri Aug 27, 2004 at 09:43:36 PM PDT

    •  I Was Wondering

      I knew they hadn't endorsed Sims, at the very least.

      But yeah, that does make me feel pretty good about your picks.  ;)

      Thanks for the tip on Democracy for Vancouver.  Should I just post a blog entry there, or is there somewhere else I could post?

      by aimlessmind on Fri Aug 27, 2004 at 09:49:21 PM PDT

      •  Go ahead and post

        It's the main meeting place for the Dean wing of the local Democratic party.

        We like having as many local people aboard as possible.

        by chrischross on Fri Aug 27, 2004 at 11:14:06 PM PDT

        •  I Did So

          Maybe one of these days I'll get to a meeting.  Typically, though, I'm working Wednesday evenings.  The joy of working at Fred Meyer.

          by aimlessmind on Fri Aug 27, 2004 at 11:19:20 PM PDT

          •  I meant virtually

            The blog is up there for a continuous exchange of ideas.  Feel free to post.

            The monthly meetings are for new people who are looking for information on progressive candidates and issues in Clark County.

            by chrischross on Fri Aug 27, 2004 at 11:28:16 PM PDT

    •  I was wondering, too

      I don't get a paper in a border town failing to endorse the candidate who's campaigning to get rid of the sales tax.

      by Ms. American Pie on Fri Aug 27, 2004 at 09:59:13 PM PDT

      •  Hell

        If nothing else, I probably wouldn't have to deal with so damn many people whipping out their Oregon DL and wanting to get the tax taken off where I work.  That in itself is almost worth my vote.  ;)

        by aimlessmind on Fri Aug 27, 2004 at 10:03:11 PM PDT

•  Make it interesting

  You are a registered Democrat, but you do not have to choose the Democratic ballot....

  This is an old trick from the primaries in Missouri which are very similar to Washington's current (and apparently short-lived) system:
  Use the Republican ballot and vote for the worst possible rightwingnut and/or doofus candidates. If enough democrats do this (because you already know how you are voting in November, right?), then the republicans wind up with pathetic candidates.
  Oh, I know, what if the republicans figure this out too and do the same thing to the democratic choice?
  Well, I live in the 7th legislative district, and up here the republicans just aren't that bright.

  cynical in Colville,
  Cowboy Diva

  by Cowboy Diva on Fri Aug 27, 2004 at 10:27:25 PM PDT

  •  Well

    I doubt it would be enough to make a difference and I'm more interested in being able to vote for the Democrat I want rather than having the Republican challenger I want.  Besides, sometimes I just feel the desire to play fair and I don't feel any great need to screw with the other party's election.

    by aimlessmind on Fri Aug 27, 2004 at 10:44:07 PM PDT

  •  Don't punish Sims

    Don't blame Sims for the elimination of the blanket primary.  Vote for who you think is the best candidate.  Also, not voting because a candidate is unopposed in a primary is punishment as well, as the big contributors look for strength in the primaries to open up their wallets.

    by chrischross on Fri Aug 27, 2004 at 11:18:11 PM PDT