Editorial: It’s time for a primary endorsement reminder

Ballots for Washington’s primary election are due one week from today. Below are recaps of the The Spokesman-Review’s endorsements. Full versions are available at www.spokesman.com/tags/ 2012-endorsement. Races not on this list will be added for the general election in November.

Spokane County Commissioner, District 2 – Republican Shelly O’Quinn has been an effective advocate for Spokane’s economy as director of education and workforce development at Greater Spokane Incorporated. She understands the challenges facing the private and public sectors better than her opponents.

3rd Legislative District Representative, Position 1 – Democrats Marcus Riccelli and Jon Snyder are the two best-qualified in the five-man field to fill the seat Rep. Andy Billig is giving up to replace retiring Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, for whom Riccelli was an aide. That experience, and Snyder’s as a Spokane City Council member and business owner, set them apart.

6th Legislative District Representative, Position 2 – Larry Keller’s turns as Cheney School District superintendent and vice wing commander of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base make him the superior choice among the four candidates, especially so as the Legislature tackles school funding shortfalls.

Secretary of State – Republican Kim Wyman, Pierce County auditor, and Democrat Sen. Jim Kastama deserve to advance to the general election. Wyman, who has the endorsement of incumbent Sam Reed and most fellow county auditors, wants to continue modernizing the election process without compromising security. Kastama, who broke with his party during budget negotiations, says licensing information collected by the office might be an untapped resource for business.

State Auditor – Republican James Watkins has worked for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and Microsoft. He does audits for a living. Rep. Troy Kelley has worked for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, chaired the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee and owns a business.

Insurance Commissioner – Three-term incumbent Mike Kreidler, a Democrat, has positioned the state well for health care reform. Republican Scott Reilly says over-regulation stifles competition.

Supreme Court – For Justice Position 2: Incumbent Susan Owens’ challengers are attorneys with no judicial experience.

For Justice Position No. 8: Steve Gonzalez, appointed to the court earlier this year, is highly qualified. His opponent has lost elections for commissioner and judge in Kitsap County.

For Justice Position 9: Sheryl Gordon McCloud, a veteran appellate defense attorney, will be an independent voice but a collegial presence in court deliberations.

U.S. Senate – Incumbent Democrat Sen. Maria Cantwell has been a stout defender of Washington’s aerospace industry, the environment and an advocate for further reform of the financial industry. Republican state Sen. Michael Baumgartner has firsthand knowledge of U.S foreign policy mistakes in the Middle East.