Thursday, March 28, 2024

Fifteen Republicans vie to unseat Governor Inslee

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For Republicans who are unhappy with state politics the August 5 primary election will be critical. There are 15 candidates running for Governor in an attempt to unseat Jay Inslee who is running for a third term. Republicans have been unable to field a winning candidate for governor since John Spellman won the election in 1985. The Republicans came closest in 2004 when Dino Rossi lost to Christine Gregoire by 133 votes. That election ended up in court over disputes about “newly found” uncounted votes from King County that put Gregoire ahead.
Washington has been so blue in its politics over the years that the New York Times coined the word “Democratopolis” to describe the state. 
In this time, where the Seattle streets have been taken over by radical groups calling for racial justice. It is a curious bit of Washington State history that a former slave, Horace Cayton, started and ran the Seattle Republican. A newspaper that would grow to become the second largest in Seattle.
In this primary, Republicans will have to choose wisely if they hope to turn the tide of Washington state politics. Below is short review of the 15 candidates running with a party designation of “Republican preferred.’’ We have endeavored to provide a link to their websites in an effort to give you the opportunity to explore their positions more fully than space here will allow. They are provided in no particular order.
 
Phil Fortunato
Fortunato is currently a State Senator. He owns a landscaping and environmental business. Fortunato says, “our state is at a crossroads. Washington faces rampant homelessness fueled by mental illness and addiction, out-of-control spending, a lack of adequate funding for transportation, the human tragedy of the opioid crisis, and now COVID-19. Whoever you elect as governor faces an $8 billion shortfall. This is not a time for on the job training. I am the only candidate with executive private-sector and legislative experience. I have an in-depth knowledge of budgetary issues and the effects cuts have on education and the most vulnerable, especially veterans, seniors and the disabled. I want to put taxpayers first, restructure state spending, reduce regulations and the size of state
government. Website: www.PhilForGov.org
 
Leon Aaron Lawson 
Lawson is a small businessman from Shelton. Lawson claims allegiance to Where We Go One We Go All (WWG1WGA); a group of anonymous writers who wrote the book QAnon.  He has never held political office. Lawson says, “I was treated like a criminal growing up because I chose Marijuana over prescribed pharmaceuticals. But now the state picks and chooses who is allowed to sell and grow marijuana with its unconstitutional Lottery. decriminalize it and stop the states theft. I am a small business owner who was targeted and attacked by the corrupt and negligent powers of the current administration
Lawson for Gov - Home | Facebook
 
Tim Eyman
Eyman is a small business owner and tax activist. He describes himself as an innovative policy advocate whose tax initiatives have saved taxpayers $43 Billion. He has never held political office. Eyman says, As Governor, I will serve you. I’ll reduce taxes, prioritize spending, grow our economy, guard your individual liberty, and protect your constitutional rights. For 22 years, I’ve fought for you with initiatives that cut taxes, strengthened our communities and made and made our streets safer. Imagine if Jay Inslee hadn’t betrayed voters by breaking his campaign promises to veto taxes, raising them 30 times instead. Imagine if Inslee hadn’t recklessly shut down thousands of small businesses, forcing a million people out of work, while letting mega-corporations remain open. Inslee’s lockdown spared his allies but punished everyone else. Inslee’s actions always benefit the special interests that bankroll him. Tim4Gov.com
 
Goodspaceguy
Goodspaceguy changed his name so you could find him on the Internet. He has run 21 times and survived the primary once. He says, your precious lives in this age of advancing, technological miracles? I, Goodspaceguy, want to help raise our living standard. Believing a higher living
standard is possible, I studied business and economics and have taken science as a lifelong hobby. command economy of force that is a heavy burden on taxpayers. We should move toward the voluntary, competitive, free market economy which uses profit to create jobs that are in balance with what consumers want. You consumers rule. https://colonizespace.blogspot.com
 
Martin L. ‘Iceman’ Wheeler
Over the last three years, Wheeler, a retired firefighter and former Roy resident of 42 years, has been planning a run for the governor’s office. Wheeler says he believes he’ll be the Republican candidate who will be able to flip the state red because he’ll be an open, honest person who will advocate for agriculture, police, public safety and schools. https://www.wheelerforgov2020.com/
 
Raul Garcia
Dr. Raul Garcia is an immigrant from Cuba who has witnessed the demoralizing and devastating effects of socialism. He says, “So why should you choose me, a doctor, to be the next Governor of Washington State? I need your vote so I can work for you, your family, your friends, and your community to promote a healthy and thriving state where citizens and businesses aren’t burdened by overreaching policies, laws and taxes. As a physician, I’ve seen first hand what these burdens do to people. I’m invested in the health of our state, our residents and our businesses. I want to fight for YOU. As a non “career politician,” I can and will work for you! I’m asking for your vote, are you ready for a change? www.DrGarcia4Governor.com
Tylor Grow
Grow is a young man from Arlington, Wash. He has never held public office. He says, “Over the past 35 years, Washington State has had an elected Democrat as Governor. With decades of empty promises and slow progress, look where it has led us. As the next Governor of Washington State, I will eliminate the partisan gridlock that keeps our beautiful state from reaching its true potential by streamlining the way Washington State handles tax revenue. I will reform our methods of collecting tax revenue regarding infrastructure to greatly benefit all of Washington’s residents - not just the select few in the state’s urban centers… I will reform our state’s health care system by providing a public option. No one should have to worry about the cost of health care. Penalizing tax-funded organizations and programs for not using enough funds. This leads to wasteful spending which should be discouraged. https://www.facebook.com/Tylor-Grow-for-Governor 103755798028489/?ref=py_c
 
Anton Sakharov
As a refugee from the Soviet Union, Sakharov has seen the damage caused by too much government, too much regulation, and the importance of a balance of powers in maintaining a free and prosperous life. He says, “He will respect the will of voters, cut taxes, reduce bureaucracy, and uphold the Constitution and Individual Rights. He will drain the Olympia swamp and end the drug fueled and government enabled homelessness by holding agencies accountable to their budgets and outcomes. He will end government interference in our lives, the extreme liberal
agendas pushed on our children and attacks on personal freedom. The Governor of Washington State should not be a career politician but instead a leader and executive manager who is working for the people.” www.antonsakharov.com
 
Nate Herzog
Herzog describes himself as an anti-Trump Republican who has supported sensible Democrats. He has never held political office. He says, “It’s time to end 36 Years of One-Party Rule. I support two-year terms for the Governorship. If elected, I will step aside in 2022 so Washingtonians can elect a new Governor that November. I invite you right now to pause your reading,and visit ResetWA.org to learn my plans for advancing electoral reform, balancing our massive budget shortfall, and to fight COVID-19 to save lives and restore our economy. 
 
Ian Gonzales
Gonzales says he brings a clean slate to politics. He has no affiliation with interest groups, lobbyists or large corporations. Gonzales says, “I’m running for Governor because my generation and those that follow will reap both the benefits and the long term consequences of the decisions made by our current administration. Washington has become increasingly tax-happy, yet many of the programs that tax dollars are being dumped into aren’t reaping their intended benefits which needs to change. These programs have better solutions waiting to be applied that would allow the people of Washington to pay less taxes; yet still fund the things that are necessary, like quality roads. Washington as it stands is more divided than ever.” His listed website link does not work.
Joshua Freed
Freed is the Mayor of Bothell. He says, “Are you better off today than you were four years ago? Is it easier to find a job, keep your business open, walk safely in your community, educate your children and protect your family’s health? Under this Governor unemployment has skyrocketed, homelessness, crime and drug abuse have exploded and public health bureaucrats spent time pushing for heroin injection sites instead of preparing for a pandemic. We need a Governor who will listen to everyone, not just the powerful and well connected. Olympia is working for political insiders who don’t need the help while ignoring those devastated by a health crisis and
economic collapse. Our state’s only mental health hospital was so poorly mismanaged it was decertified by the federal government leaving the mentally ill to wander the streets.” www.freedforgovernor.com
 
Loren Culp
Culp is an Army veteran and sheriff of the city of Republic. He says, “Attacks on religion, freedom of speech, due process and the 2nd Amendment are at an all-time high, while the State government ignores lawlessness in our major cities, invades our privacy and interferes in parenting. This is unacceptable. The government is accountable to and serves the people as directed by our Constitution—not the other way around.” In November of 2018, Loren was the first Police Executive to take a stand against the gun restriction initiative i1639 which he believes is unconstitutional. https://www.culpforgovernor.com/
Richard L. Carpenter
Carpenter says, ”I am hoping all my friends invite all of their friends to follow my run for the office of Governor of the great state of Washington! I am running a real grass roots effort for you to hire a blue-collar worker to look out for you! I will use the $5000 I am allowed to donate to my own campaign. I will not accept one dime from any organization... period! I will not accept one dime from anyone... period! I will run a government that will look out for the well being of “us”... period! Please understand, I am sticking it out there for all of us. I will lead a commonsense team for us. https://www.facebook.com/RichardLCarpenterForGovernor/
 
Bill Hirt
Hirt lists his previous elected experience as High School Senior Class President. He is a retired Boeing engineer who has run 8 previous campaigns, not to win but to inform voters that Sound Transit should never been allowed to spend billions adding Prop 1 extensions to Central Link. This campaign is to debunk the claim that fossil fuel emissions are an existential threat. Al Gore’s “Inconvenient truth is in fact a monumental lie,” says Hirt. His Website link does not work.
 
Matthew Murray
Murry says, “My purpose will always be to better our lives collectively.” His website does not work. We reached out to his email address but have not had any response as of press time.
This year’s primary ballot has set a state record for candidates running for governor. There is a total of 36 candidates. Next week we will review the minority party candidates.

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