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Regional & Local Races (State House & State Senate Seats in the 17th, 18th, & 49th) (Clark County Commissioner Seats) |
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Page 3 |
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49th District:
State Senate: Craig Pridemore (D) (incumbent) v Tom Langston ( R )
This is the race that almost wasn’t. It is difficult for the local Republicans to field a candidate, year after year, in a district that is so hard for them to get even decent electoral results. Year after year, most GOP Candidates have failed to get much more than 35 %. Except for the GOP incumbent that Craig Pridemore unseated four years ago, most Republicans haven’t had a fair shot in the 49th since Ronald Regan or Noah — I’m not sure which.
So this year, when the Republicans failed to nominate someone out of their Convention system to run, Tom Langston conducted a Write-In Petition, and got enough Signatures to make it on the ballot. Good for Tom, and his wife Cindy, and all their friends and relatives. Tom Langston has a very good website, at www.tomlangston.org, where I actually was able to get the U-Tube Video to work, and enjoyed the audio/video of a Pridemore-Langston Debate!
Craig Pridemore is an extraordinarily intelligent and capable state Senator. He is a former Clark County Commissioner. I just wish he belonged to a different Party. |
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State House, Position 1: Jim Jacks (D) v Debbie Peterson ( R )
This is a race for the Open Seat left by the retirement of Democrat Bill Fromhold.
Jim Jacks appears to have the backing of the typical Democratic Establishment of Clark County and the 49th. (Democratic Machine sounds like such a rude and dated expression.)
Jim Jacks also has the backing of David Nierenberg, who can too easily eclipse any local candidate he supports with his own Great Shadow.
How much nicer the world would be if men like David Nierenberg just stuck to Good Works!
Nierenberg and his wife have spearheaded some great charitable accomplishments, like those for Southwest Medical Hospital, for which they have been given their proper due by the local press. Unfortunately David Nierenberg and his wife also made the papers this past summer for exploiting a loophole in Washington State Campaign Finance Law. This loophole lets individuals give candidates far greater sums than they can normally, by routing it through the state Parties first. This has been done by the Nierenbergs in the past for one local Democratic candidate. This year, they apparently took the normal contribution routes for Jim Jacks.
When you get right down to it, I think the 49th would do quite well with either candidate. Jim Jacks would impress without the backing of any power brokers. Jacks appears to be a young, intelligent man, and very eager to serve. His listed credentials mention mediation and being the Governor’s local representative.
Debbie Peterson is a very warm and caring person, whose teaching credentials would come in handy considering how much of the state legislature’s time is taken up with education issues. She is also a quietly courageous individual, who braved a great deal of hostility in politely facing up to the Columbia Crossing group, and presenting information about a third bridge. Jimmy Stewart was my favorite old time actor. I dig the quietly courageous type, male or female.
Debbie Peterson is my personal preference, but I say “Read your Voters’ Pamphlet,” watch CVTV, and forget party labels! |
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State House, Position 2: Jim Moeller (incumbent) (D) v Mike Bomar ( I )
I ran against Jim Moeller in 2002. Those were the days when I did foolish, brave things out of pure altruism. Jim Moeller is the kind of individual and politician who would never make that kind of silly and painful gesture. The 49th could do better than Jim Moeller, though he is quite bright and capable. However, I rather doubt that they will ever give themselves the chance. This is one of the problems with One Party Districts. I do hope that Mike Bomar could at least break 40 Percent. It would make for a nice change. |
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The 49th is far more Democrat than the 18th is Republican. This is the stereotypical district where it is said that: You could paint the Letter D on a Dumb Rock, and the 49th would vote for it!
Beware! One Party Districts may be great for Party Bosses and Big Wigs, but they are NOT a good thing for We the People! |