Published: Friday, July 23, 2010
Incumbent's a marked man in Democratic primary
State Sen. Steve Hobbs hopes it's a good year to be a moderate.
The Lake Stevens Democrat is seeking a second term and facing tough challengers from the Republican Party and the left wing of his own.
He knows re-election hinges on convincing voters in the Aug. 17 primary that his pursuit of policies somewhere in between serves constituents best.
"This race is about who is going to have a say in state government," he said. "Is it going to be the special interests on the far left and the far right or will it be those in the middle? I'm right there in the middle."
Hobbs is up against Republicans Dave Schmidt, who he defeated for the job in 2006, and Ryan Ferrie and Democrat Lillian Kaufer. The two candidates receiving the most votes, regardless of party, will square off in November.
At stake is a four-year term representing the 44th Legislative District that covers Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Mill Creek and parts of Everett and Marysville.
This contest is one of two primaries in the state in which a coalition of labor unions and progressive groups are trying to oust an incumbent conservative Democrat. The other is in the 38th District where they want to unseat Sen. Jean Berkey, D-Everett.
Hobbs, 40, is targeted in part because he opposed collective bargaining for child care workers and supported tougher teacher evaluations and privatizing state liquor stores.
He voted to increase the tax on cigarettes but against a larger $700 million package of increases considered by supporters as vital for preventing layoffs of state workers and cuts in funding for schools, health care and social service programs.
Hobbs showed his centrist streak by uniting moderate legislators into the Roadkill Caucus. This group frustrated progressives by pushing to preserve a tax break for large banks and preventing a tripling of a fee paid by producers of hazardous substances such as oil refineries.
"I made enemies because I stood up to a couple groups and said, 'No.' They want to put in people who will say, 'Yes,' " Hobbs said.
Kaufer is their person. And she and Hobbs are familiar foes. Four years ago, they dueled in the primary for the Democratic Party nomination and Kaufer lost.
Now Hobbs has a record that she is critiquing as she talks to voters.
"My biggest criticism against Mr. Hobbs is he sides against working families on every single issue," she said.
She faulted Hobbs for not voting to raise taxes. He supported spending on many programs in the first half of his term that needed those dollars to survive this year, she said.
"You put us in a hole, but you don't want to help us get out of it?" she said. "It's the height of hypocrisy for him to say, 'I didn't raise taxes' when he did agree to spend the money."
Kaufer, 42, isn't afraid to raise revenue. She is the only candidate supporting Initiative 1098 to create an income tax on higher wage earners. She's also the only one opposing Initiative 1053 to require a two-thirds vote of lawmakers to increase taxes.
"You cannot govern with that kind of majority," she said.
Schmidt served eight years in the House of Representatives and four in the Senate before losing to Hobbs.
"In 2006, the political environment was very rough for Republicans," Schmidt said. "And I did not work as hard as I should have in the campaign. I will not make that mistake again."
This time is different, he said. He's knocking on thousands of doors and the political tide is rising in favor of Republicans as voters are infuriated with Democratic lawmakers for arguing on which taxes to increase rather than where to cut spending.
While Hobbs voted against the biggest tax hike proposals, it doesn't immunize him to the actions of his party this year and his own before that, Schmidt said.
"What he did in 2007 and 2008 laid the groundwork for the 2010 taxes," he said. "I would not have voted for all those increases."
Schmidt, 56, entered the race at the urging of Senate Republican Caucus leaders who had a poll showing voters recognize and like him.
"I've been there. I know what works to get our budget under control and I know how to get it done," he said.
Ferrie, 37, owns A&R Insurance and Financial Services in Lynnwood.
He described himself as a "textbook fiscal conservative" who takes a "pragmatic approach to everything I do. If it makes sense we should try to do it and if it does not, we don't."
He talks of bringing a different tone of voice into the Legislature.
"Infighting and a lack of strong leadership has left our state in dire straights financially," he said when he entered the race. "Taxes continue to rise, the size of government continues to increase, and our employment recovery is stagnant. It is time for us to make a stand and say enough is enough."
The Snohomish County Republican Party endorsed Ferrie and Schmidt.
Ferrie is new to the political scene and hopes voters fed up with incumbents and special interest-backed candidates will appreciate a fresh approach.
"I don't have any favors that need to be called in," Ferrie said.
Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com
State Senate, 44th District
What's the job?
At stake is a four-year term as a senator in the Legislature. This seat is for the 44th Legislative District, which covers Lake Stevens, Snohomish and Mill Creek, and parts of Marysville and Everett. It pays $42,106 a year.
Notable: In 2006, Hobbs defeated Kaufer in the primary for the Democratic Party nomination, then went on to unseat Schmidt. This is Ferrie's first run for political office.
Election Day is Aug. 17. Ballots are slated to be mailed out July 30. The top two vote-getters will go on to the general election in November.
Steve Hobbs (incumbent)
Age: 40
Occupation: State senator, National Guard officer
Hometown: Lake Stevens
Party: Democratic
Website: www.electhobbs.com
Education: Bachelor of arts, political science, University of Washington
Hobbs' priorities: Pursue fiscal responsibility through reduced spending and government reform, boost job creation and improve public education.
In his words: "This race is about who is going to have a say in state government. Is it going to be the special interests on the far left and the far right or will it be those in the middle?"
Lillian Kaufer
Age: 42
Occupation: Co-owner, Kaufer Vending, paralegal for law offices of William Hochberg
Hometown: Snohomish
Party: Democratic
Website: www.lilliankaufer.net
Education: Paralegal training
Kaufer's priorities: Spur environment for job creation and economic development, increase funding for education and ensure every resident of Washington has access to health care coverage.
In her words: "I'm running to advocate for working families in the Legislature and to make sure working families get a fair deal and are being looked out for."
Dave Schmidt
Age: 56
Occupation: Field rep security systems, former state lawmaker
Hometown: Mill Creek
Party: Republican
Website: www.daveschmidt.org
Education: Masters in theology, Multnomah Bible College and Seminary
Schmidt's priorities: Get state spending under control, make transition in education from textbooks to laptop computers and invest in transportation.
In his words: "I've been there. I know what works to get our budget under control, and I know how to get it done."
Joseph Ryan Ferrie
Age: 37
Occupation: Owner, A&R Insurance and Financial Services in Lynnwood
Hometown: Everett
Party: Republican
Website: www.ryanferrie.com
Education: Bachelor of arts, history, University of Washington
Ferrie's priorities: Create more jobs in Snohomish County and the state; improve the public school system, lower taxes.
In his words: "I take a pragmatic approach to everything I do. If it makes sense we should try to do it and if it does not we don't."
The Lake Stevens Democrat is seeking a second term and facing tough challengers from the Republican Party and the left wing of his own.
He knows re-election hinges on convincing voters in the Aug. 17 primary that his pursuit of policies somewhere in between serves constituents best.
"This race is about who is going to have a say in state government," he said. "Is it going to be the special interests on the far left and the far right or will it be those in the middle? I'm right there in the middle."
Hobbs is up against Republicans Dave Schmidt, who he defeated for the job in 2006, and Ryan Ferrie and Democrat Lillian Kaufer. The two candidates receiving the most votes, regardless of party, will square off in November.
At stake is a four-year term representing the 44th Legislative District that covers Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Mill Creek and parts of Everett and Marysville.
This contest is one of two primaries in the state in which a coalition of labor unions and progressive groups are trying to oust an incumbent conservative Democrat. The other is in the 38th District where they want to unseat Sen. Jean Berkey, D-Everett.
Hobbs, 40, is targeted in part because he opposed collective bargaining for child care workers and supported tougher teacher evaluations and privatizing state liquor stores.
He voted to increase the tax on cigarettes but against a larger $700 million package of increases considered by supporters as vital for preventing layoffs of state workers and cuts in funding for schools, health care and social service programs.
Hobbs showed his centrist streak by uniting moderate legislators into the Roadkill Caucus. This group frustrated progressives by pushing to preserve a tax break for large banks and preventing a tripling of a fee paid by producers of hazardous substances such as oil refineries.
"I made enemies because I stood up to a couple groups and said, 'No.' They want to put in people who will say, 'Yes,' " Hobbs said.
Kaufer is their person. And she and Hobbs are familiar foes. Four years ago, they dueled in the primary for the Democratic Party nomination and Kaufer lost.
Now Hobbs has a record that she is critiquing as she talks to voters.
"My biggest criticism against Mr. Hobbs is he sides against working families on every single issue," she said.
She faulted Hobbs for not voting to raise taxes. He supported spending on many programs in the first half of his term that needed those dollars to survive this year, she said.
"You put us in a hole, but you don't want to help us get out of it?" she said. "It's the height of hypocrisy for him to say, 'I didn't raise taxes' when he did agree to spend the money."
Kaufer, 42, isn't afraid to raise revenue. She is the only candidate supporting Initiative 1098 to create an income tax on higher wage earners. She's also the only one opposing Initiative 1053 to require a two-thirds vote of lawmakers to increase taxes.
"You cannot govern with that kind of majority," she said.
Schmidt served eight years in the House of Representatives and four in the Senate before losing to Hobbs.
"In 2006, the political environment was very rough for Republicans," Schmidt said. "And I did not work as hard as I should have in the campaign. I will not make that mistake again."
This time is different, he said. He's knocking on thousands of doors and the political tide is rising in favor of Republicans as voters are infuriated with Democratic lawmakers for arguing on which taxes to increase rather than where to cut spending.
While Hobbs voted against the biggest tax hike proposals, it doesn't immunize him to the actions of his party this year and his own before that, Schmidt said.
"What he did in 2007 and 2008 laid the groundwork for the 2010 taxes," he said. "I would not have voted for all those increases."
Schmidt, 56, entered the race at the urging of Senate Republican Caucus leaders who had a poll showing voters recognize and like him.
"I've been there. I know what works to get our budget under control and I know how to get it done," he said.
Ferrie, 37, owns A&R Insurance and Financial Services in Lynnwood.
He described himself as a "textbook fiscal conservative" who takes a "pragmatic approach to everything I do. If it makes sense we should try to do it and if it does not, we don't."
He talks of bringing a different tone of voice into the Legislature.
"Infighting and a lack of strong leadership has left our state in dire straights financially," he said when he entered the race. "Taxes continue to rise, the size of government continues to increase, and our employment recovery is stagnant. It is time for us to make a stand and say enough is enough."
The Snohomish County Republican Party endorsed Ferrie and Schmidt.
Ferrie is new to the political scene and hopes voters fed up with incumbents and special interest-backed candidates will appreciate a fresh approach.
"I don't have any favors that need to be called in," Ferrie said.
Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com
State Senate, 44th District
What's the job?
At stake is a four-year term as a senator in the Legislature. This seat is for the 44th Legislative District, which covers Lake Stevens, Snohomish and Mill Creek, and parts of Marysville and Everett. It pays $42,106 a year.
Notable: In 2006, Hobbs defeated Kaufer in the primary for the Democratic Party nomination, then went on to unseat Schmidt. This is Ferrie's first run for political office.
Election Day is Aug. 17. Ballots are slated to be mailed out July 30. The top two vote-getters will go on to the general election in November.
Steve Hobbs (incumbent)
Age: 40
Occupation: State senator, National Guard officer
Hometown: Lake Stevens
Party: Democratic
Website: www.electhobbs.com
Education: Bachelor of arts, political science, University of Washington
Hobbs' priorities: Pursue fiscal responsibility through reduced spending and government reform, boost job creation and improve public education.
In his words: "This race is about who is going to have a say in state government. Is it going to be the special interests on the far left and the far right or will it be those in the middle?"
Lillian Kaufer
Age: 42
Occupation: Co-owner, Kaufer Vending, paralegal for law offices of William Hochberg
Hometown: Snohomish
Party: Democratic
Website: www.lilliankaufer.net
Education: Paralegal training
Kaufer's priorities: Spur environment for job creation and economic development, increase funding for education and ensure every resident of Washington has access to health care coverage.
In her words: "I'm running to advocate for working families in the Legislature and to make sure working families get a fair deal and are being looked out for."
Dave Schmidt
Age: 56
Occupation: Field rep security systems, former state lawmaker
Hometown: Mill Creek
Party: Republican
Website: www.daveschmidt.org
Education: Masters in theology, Multnomah Bible College and Seminary
Schmidt's priorities: Get state spending under control, make transition in education from textbooks to laptop computers and invest in transportation.
In his words: "I've been there. I know what works to get our budget under control, and I know how to get it done."
Joseph Ryan Ferrie
Age: 37
Occupation: Owner, A&R Insurance and Financial Services in Lynnwood
Hometown: Everett
Party: Republican
Website: www.ryanferrie.com
Education: Bachelor of arts, history, University of Washington
Ferrie's priorities: Create more jobs in Snohomish County and the state; improve the public school system, lower taxes.
In his words: "I take a pragmatic approach to everything I do. If it makes sense we should try to do it and if it does not we don't."
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