Council 2 is endorsing Jay Inslee for governor.

“He has shown consistent support for labor, and for our union in particular, and he will do a great job as governor,” says Council 2 President/Executive Director Chris Dugovich.

“He is no stranger to our union. Indeed, our relationship with him goes back decades and he has spoken at several Council 2 conventions, most recently in June last year.”

For the rest of the races, Council 2 members have been urged to vote for those candidates who support the labor cause in general and our union in particular.

All the seats in the State House of Representatives are being contested and about half of the State Senate seats are up for re-election, 

“We need to be on guard constantly that we do not suffer the same fate as Wisconsin,” Dugovich says.

Public employees’ rights to bargain collectively have been reduced in Wisconsin.

 “Although it seems unlikely, we should be vigilant nevertheless.”

One of the most hotly contested local races is likely to be that in the First District — the seat being vacated by Inslee — where former Microsoft vice president Suzan DelBene (D) faces off against Snohomish County Council member John Koster (R). The district has been redrawn since the last election.