Seattle Times endorses Kagi, Farrell

By Evan Smith

Our news partner, the Seattle Times has endorsed incumbent 32nd District State Rep. Ruth Kagi and 46th District Democratic candidate Jessyn Farrell.

Kagi faces a challenge from Republicans Eric Alvey and Robert Reedy in the Aug. 7 primary with the top two vote getters advancing to the Nov. 6 general election. Kagi is seeking an eighth two-year term in the Legislature. The District includes Shoreline, Woodway, south Edmonds, unincorporated areas of southwest Snohomish County, most of Lynnwood, part of Mountlake Terrace and part of northwest Seattle.

Farrell is one of six candidates for an open position in the 46th District, which now includes Lake Forest Park and Kenmore in addition to northeast Seattle. Farrell; fellow Democrats Shelly Croker, Dusty Hoerler and Sarajane Siegfriedt; Republican Scott Hodges; and independent Stan Lippmann are seeking the position that retiring State Rep, Phyllis Kenny now holds.

The Times editorial board called Kagi a “solid choice for re-election,” and added, “She helped implement child-welfare reforms and early-learning programs in one of the leanest budget years ever.”

The Times said that Farrell “offers the most thoughtful and inclusive platform of the Democrats running for the House of Representatives from the 46th Legislative District.”

The Times has not made primary endorsements for the positions in each district that have only two candidates, the contest between incumbent 32nd District Democratic State Rep. Cindy Ryu and Republican challenger Randy Hayden or the one between appointed incumbent 46th District State Rep. Gerry Pollet and fellow Democrat Sylvester Cann, nor has the Times mentioned appointed State Sen. David Frockt, who is unopposed in the 46th District.