The August 17 primary election winnowed a local three-way legislative race to two candidates.
In the Valley’s only contested primary race, the Fifth District’s Position 2, North Bend resident David Spring edged out Sammamish consultant Dean Willard for the right to challenge incumbent Glenn Anderson in the general election.
Republican lead
The Snoqualmie Valley’s two incumbent State Representatives took strong leads in their respective races Monday.
With about 39 percent of ballots counted, Fifth District position 1 Rep. Jay Rodne led Gregory Hoover, 60.97 percent to 38.85 percent. Rodne had 19,703 votes, while Hoover had 12,554 votes.
In the fifth district’s Position 2 race, incumbent Rep. Glenn Anderson held a strong lead over his two challengers, David Spring and Dean Willard. Anderson had 57.8 percent of the vote, with 18,487 votes, while Spring had 24.9 percent of the ballot, with 7,980 votes. Willard took third in the top-two primary with 17 percent of returns, 5,432 votes.
Spring’s direction
Spring told the Valley Record that early returns showed a nearly two-thirds majority of Democrat-leaning support for him.
“I want to thank the thousands who voted for me and voted to restore funding for public schools,” said Spring, whose campaign promotes Initiative 1098, a state income tax on the wealthy, to fill funding gaps. “I look forward to debating with Glenn Anderson in the general election.”
Spring faced and fell to Anderson in the 2008 State House race. Spring said core state issues have not changed since then.
“In 2008, our middle class was paying the highest taxes, our kids were going to the lowest funded schools,” he said, “Meanwhile, (legislators) were giving tax breaks to the richest of the world.”
“This time around, voters will have to look at the direction they want to go,” he added. “Voters have a clear choice of going a new direction.”
Ready for debate
Anderson said he looks forward to scheduled candidate debates in the district this fall.
“It will be great opportunity for voters to hear which candidate best represents their point-of-view on the direction the state should take,” Anderson said. “Mr. Spring has some very unusual ideas for voters to hear.”
“Our campaign will focus on a ‘live-within-our-means’ credo, just like the hard-working families I represent,” he added. “Campaigns reflect the style, values and honesty that a candidate will operate under if they are elected. I will not be looking for the boogey-man to blame—I’m seeking support from voters who want a workable solution for our state.”
Voters want elected officials to focus on their needs in tough times and guide the state back on track, Anderson stated.
“I believe our campaign priorities reflect that,” he said.
