We recommend . . .
AS the election season draws to a close, we provide this summary of Seattle Times endorsements that have appeared on this page in recent weeks. The complete text of endorsements is available online. Go to seattletimes.com, click on the voter's guide and then "Endorsements."
PRESIDENT
George W. Bush, Republican
For integrity and civility in office, for a realistic balance between government and commerce, a fair tax policy, and a new, bipartisan era to confront the needs of the nation.
U.S. SENATE
Maria Cantwell, Democrat
Energy and new ideas for changing how business is conducted in Washington, D.C., starting with campaign-finance reform.
U.S. CONGRESS
1st District: Jay Inslee, Democrat
Hard-working incumbent is focused on needs of his district, from pipeline safety to high tech.
2nd District: Rick Larsen, Democrat
A potential New Democrat with a firm grasp of the broad range of issues important to his district, including transportation and salmon recovery.
3rd District: Brian Baird, Democrat
Has demonstrated effective, bipartisan, bi-state cooperation essential to serving his diverse and growing district.
4th District: Jim Davis, Democrat
Less divisive than the incumbent, this fourth-generation wheat farmer is a good fit for a district needing to balance rural economies and environmental protection.
5th District: Tom Keefe, Democrat
A fresh start by a smart challenger against the incumbent, George Nethercutt, who lost credibility over his self-serving turnabout on term limits.
6th District: Norm Dicks, Democrat
Effective and widely respected leader of the Washington state delegation gets the job done without political grandstanding or divisive tactics.
7th District: Jim McDermott, Democrat
Enjoys the comfort of a safe district in liberal Seattle. We'd like to see him stay closer in touch with all his constituents.
8th District: Jennifer Dunn, Republican
An important voice for this state in GOP leadership at the national level and in Congress; stays in touch with her Bellevue-based constituency.
9th District: Adam Smith, Democrat
A two-term New Democrat with a good understanding of his fast-changing district; represents his constituents with honesty and hard work.
GOVERNOR
Gary Locke, Democrat
Smart, experienced, low-key incumbent is coming out of this campaign stronger than he went into it, meeting a feisty challenger head-on. A more-aggressive Gov. Locke in a second term is an attractive prospect.
LT. GOVERNOR
Brad Owen, Democrat
Capable incumbent who deserves re-election.
SECRETARY OF STATE
Sam Reed, Republican
Veteran elections official is well-qualified to deal with changes that will have to be made to the state's primary-election system in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
TREASURER
Mike Murphy, Democrat
Incumbent is a good advocate of sound financial management on behalf of the state's taxpayers.
AUDITOR
Brian Sonntag, Democrat
Two-term incumbent is respected across party lines for professional approach to the office. He's an effective watchdog of public's right to know.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Christine Gregoire, Democrat
Incumbent's considerable successes over two terms far outweigh recent--and costly--management problems in her office.
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC LANDS
Doug Sutherland, Republican
Blend of public-sector executive experience and pro-environment record is ideal fit for Department of Natural Resources after a number of contentious years.
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
Mike Kriedler, Democrat
Former congressman, state legislator and federal health official is well suited to bring calm and competence to an office that has been overly politicized in recent years.
STATE SUPREME COURT
Position 2: Jeff Sullivan
The long-time Yakima County prosecutor has spent decades working on statewide issues and arguing cases in state and federal appellate courts.
Position 9: Tom Chambers
Breadth of experience in the law clearly separates Chambers from his opponent in this race. He is ready for service on the state's highest court; his opponent is not.
STATE BALLOT ISSUES
Initiative 713: YES
Makes illegal the use of steel-jawed leg traps and similar devices to capture an animal.
Initiative 722: NO
Complicated and unfair. The measure attempts to clean up after passage of Initiative 695 by nullifying tax and fee increases adopted in the wake of that initiative; also it would create havoc in the state tax code by shifting property taxes. It would reduce the burden on expensive property and increase it on many other properties.
Initiative 728: NO
Redirects a portion of state property taxes and lottery proceeds to schools to reduce class sizes and finance programs to boost student achievement. Well-intentioned, with laudable goals, but would sacrifice thoughtful budgeting and fiscal practices.
Initiative 729: YES
Establishes procedures for creating a limited number of public charter schools in the state. It's about time. Sensible charter-school legislation has been held up in the state Legislature; this initiative is narrowly drawn and addresses genuine desires of parents, teachers and communities.
Initiative 732: NO
Gives annual cost-of-living raises to teachers, superintendents and other school employees across the state. It provides no funding source, and raises would be based on costs in the most-expensive region of the state. Teacher pay is a problem, but this is not the solution.
Initiative 745: NO
Directs that 90 percent of transportation funds in the state be spent on roads. This is simplistic and harmful to bus and other public-transportation systems across the state.
SJR 8214: YES
A constitutional amendment to allow the Developmental Disabilities Trust Fund to be invested so that more money is available for the worthy purpose of assisting people with developmental disabilities and their families.
KING COUNTY BALLOT MEASURES
Proposition 1: YES
Increase county sales tax from 8.6 percent to 8.8 percent to raise money for Metro buses that was lost when I-695 passed last year. Without this money, major cuts in service will be necessary.
SEATTLE BALLOT MEASURES
Proposition 1: NO
This appealing parks proposal has a number of serious flaws that bring us to a reluctant conclusion. Elected officials should pare it down, take out maintenance dollars, use tax revenues in flush times for some land acquisition. We love parks, but we don't like this proposal.
Proposition 2 (Monorail Initiative 53): YES
Provide $6 million for a detailed study of the monorail's potential to serve a larger part of Seattle's in-city transit needs. This is a far-better approach to the monorail than what voters approved earlier. An expanded monorail is a popular idea; let's find out if the idea holds up to careful scrutiny.
KING COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT
Position 11: Robert S. Bryan
STATE LEGISLATURE
District 1
Senate: Rosemary McAuliffe--D
House, Position 1: Al O'Brien--D
House, Position 2: Jeanne Edwards - D
District 5
Senate: Dino Rossi - R
House, Position 1: Glenn Anderson - R
House, Position 2: Cheryl Pflug - R
District 11
House, Position 1: Eileen Cody - D
House, Position 2: Velma Veloria - D
District 21
House, Position 1: Mike Cooper - D
House, Position 2: Renee Radcliff - R
District 25
Senate: Jim Kastama - D
House, Position 1: Richard Hildreth--D
House, Position 2: Dave Morrell - R
District 30
House, Position 1: Mark Miloscia - D
House, Position 2: Maryann Mitchell - R
District 31
House, Position 1: Mike Stensen - D
House, Position 2: Christopher Hurst - D
District 32
House, Position 1: Carolyn Edmonds - D
House, Position 2: Ruth Kagi--D
District 33
House, Position 1: Shay Schual-Berke--D
House, Position 2: Karen Keiser - D
District 34
Senate: Dow Constantine--D
House, Position 1: Erik Poulsen - D
House, Position 2: Joe McDermott - D
District 36
House, Position 1: Helen Sommers--D
House, Position 2: Mary Lou Dickerson--D
District 37
House, Position 1: Sharon Tomiko Santos--D
House, Position 2: Kip Tokuda - D
District 38
House, Position 1: Aaron Reardon-- D
House, Position 2: Patricia Scott--D
District 39
Senate: Fredda Smith - D
House, Position 1: Hans Dunshee--D
House, Position 2: Liz Loomis - D
District 44
House, Position 1: David Schmidt - R
House, Position 2: John Lovick--D
District 45
House, Position 1: Kathy Lambert--R
House, Position 2: Laura Ruderman - D
District 46
House, Position 1: Jim McIntire--D
House, Position 2: Phyllis Kenney - D
District 47
House, Position 1: Geoff Simpson - D
House, Position 2: Debbie Jacobson - D
District 48
House, Position 1: Luke Esser - R
House, Position 2: Steven Van Luven - R