A little campaign news.

Republican challenger Jodi Wilke has snagged a union endorsement in her David vs. Goliath race against incumbent Mike Chapman, who represents Jefferson County in the State House of Representatives.  In his race to remain a District 24 State Rep, Chapman has been racking up endorsements.  We previously covered his collection of organizational allies, as well as his fundraising advantage.  He has continued to add to his list of endorsements and build his war chest. The primary poll results showed Chapman with a sizable lead going into the general election.

Wilke has not let the unfavorable odds diminish her spirit and has remained in constant motion. For a first run against a much more experienced incumbent, she has been acquitting herself well.

So it is newsworthy that underfunded, outgunned Wilke can claim a union endorsement.  Union support of Democrats is not an attention-getter.  But a Republican winning union support, that deserves some keystrokes.

Laborers International Union of North America, Local 292, has thrown its support behind Wilke.  They represent construction workers, with a nationwide membership in excess of 500,000.

This was Wilke’s union hall out of Everett when she worked in the construction industry.  She also did some work out of ##242 and 440 in Seattle.  When she started own her construction business, she hired union help and signed the collective bargaining agreements.

Says Wilke, “They know I understand both sides of the union issues – both employee and employer. I became well-,versed on many of the issues facing the construction industry both in my own business and later when I worked in the mortgage industry dealing with construction loans and investor projects.

“I support the union,” she says, “for what it can offer workers [in] training, offering a living wage, and benefits. These things are critical for families and individuals to make a decent life.  As a business owner, I knew I could count on a skilled, hard-working crew of any size when I was able to land a big foundation contract. This was a critical aspect of being profitable. I did not sign union contracts for the smaller jobs, such as fencing and decks but we did pay comparable wages.

“I also know the work that goes into providing a ready, knowledgeable and skilled workforce that is geared up, reliable and has a good attitude. I completed the apprenticeship program, as did my ex husband, and my older son is currently progressing through it as well. The Laborers apprenticeship program out of Kingston is an excellent program. When I was married, we even had our wedding reception at their camp! [T]hese are good people and were a big part of my life at that time.”

Judges, Lawyers Score Haas Poorly on Integrity, Competence and Leadership

Good Results for Harrison and Nole

  

The Jefferson County Bar Association poll of its members is out and does not look good for incumbent Prosecuting Attorney Michael Haas.  The people who interact with him daily in the courthouse gave him failing grades on key professional qualities.

On integrity, 53% found him unacceptable.  Only 27% found him acceptable.

On professional competence, he scored worse.  57% rated his performance as prosecuting attorney unacceptable.

On management and leadership, he scored the worst.  Only 10% found him acceptable.  Nearly two-thirds of judges and lawyers rated his performance as unacceptable.

You can read the full poll results here.

James Kennedy, who is challenging Haas, received very few “unacceptable” ratings in any category, and scored significantly higher than Haas on integrity, competence and especially management and leadership.

Noah Harrison, who is running for District Court Judge against Mindy Walker, scored very high.  Walker’s results spoke poorly of her reputation among her peers for competence, judicial decision-making, and preparation and effectiveness in court.

Detective Joe Nole, who is challenging incumbent Sheriff David Stanko, also scored well in all categories, far outpacing Stanko, who received only 1 “acceptable” vote in the category of management and leadership.

Jim Scarantino

Jim Scarantino was the editor and founder of Port Townsend Free Press. He is happy in his new role as just a contributor writing on topics of concern to him. He spent the first 25 years of his professional life as a trial attorney, then launched an online investigative news website that broke several national stories. He is also the author of three crime novels. He resides in Jefferson County. See our “About” page for more information.