SEN. MARIA CANTWELL, who has been a solid supporter of labor, is facing a tough fight against Republican Mike McGavick in the November general elections. But at the state level, the Democrats appear set to increase their majorities in the House and Senate.

Although Cantwell is facing a strong challenge, she should be in a good position, given her opponent’s background as an insurance-industry insider and a Bush Administration supporter.

“Cantwell is not one to shy away from a fight and her support for Washington State’s working families will shine through McGavick’s rhetoric,” says Council 2 Deputy Director Pat Thompson.

Meanwhile, the Democrats look as though they are in a strong position to pick up seats in the House.

Among them are Jack Burkman in the 17th District (Clark County), and Democrat Jaspar MacSlarro, who is challenging the incumbent in the 42nd House (Whatcom County).

In the Senate, among seats that the Democrats might gain are those in the 26th District, where Democrat Derek Kilmer is vying for an open seat and the 47th District in Kent where Ed Crawford is running.

In other races:

• In the Spokane County Commissioners’ race, Council 2 has endorsed three-term commissioner Phil Harris.
• Incumbent Steve Stewart is again seeking a position on the Clark County Council after his victory in a special election two years ago. Clark County employees have endorsed him.

• Marsha Weyand, third from left, has been endorsed by Local 2658, which covers the appraisers of Kittitas, Yakima, Benton and Franklin counties. Seen here are, from left, Tim Roth, Susan Fitterer, Weyand, Debra Currier and Julie Wallace.

  In Kittitas County, Local 2658, which covers the appraisers of Kittitas, Yakima, Benton and Franklin counties, has endorsed Marsha Weyand for the position of assessor of Kittitas County.
  
  If elected, Weyand, a former member and officer of Local 2658 (Kittitas County), would fill the position of retiring assessor Iris Rominger.
  
  By supporting Weyand, the membership of Kittitas County would follow a long-standing practice of working and supporting the union in Kittitas County.

Also on the ballot will be Initiative 933 which would require compensation when government regulation damages the use or value of private property, would forbid regulations that prohibit existing legal uses of private property, and provide exceptions or payments.

“This is another feel-good, sounds-good, simple-minded initiative that would have an absolutely devastating impact at the local level,” Thompson says.

Estimates are that the measure could cost between $3.5 and $4 billion in reparations and $60 million to $76 million to administer.

“The campaign against the measure has done a good job of isolating the support and it’s really only the Corporate Washington Farm Bureau that is supporting it,” says Thompson. “Realtors, business representatives and builders have backed away from it because it is so extreme.”

Meanwhile, Tim Eyman has launched an initiative aimed at cutting back state income, which therefore could threaten the jobs of Council 2 members. Initiative 917 would limit car tabs to $30 a year.

But at this stage it is unlikely that his initiative will appear on the November ballot. It appears he was more interested in his salary fund than in qualifying the initiative.