Municipal League Rates 33rd, 37th, 41st, 47th, 11th Legislative District Candidates

The Municipal League of King County has released its ratings and questionnaires of candidates for the legislative, judicial and sheriff races.

Candidates in the 33rd, 37th, 41st, 47th and 11th legislative districts, all of which cover Renton, ranged from "not qualified" to "very good," according to the Municipal League. King County Sheriff's candidate Steve Strachan, who was the interim appointment when Sheriff Sue Rahr left her position, was rated "outstanding," and his challenger, John Urquhart, was rated "good."

According to the nonpartisan Municipal League, the Candidate Evaluation Ratings attempt to answer the question: How well could a candidate do the job? The ratings do not consider a candidate’s political affiliations or standing on specific issues and instead, they assesses a candidate’s potential to be effective in office, according to the organization.

The process is similar to a job interview – with a diverse group of citizens serving as hiring managers. The result has been called a “Better Business Bureau” for voters.

Municipal League volunteers reviewed candidate questionnaires, studied the public record, spoke with references, and conducted interviews with candidates. Committee members then rated each candidate on four criteria: involvement, character, effectiveness and knowledge, according to the league's press release.

The full list of candidate evaluation ratings and the candidates' completed questionnaires are posted on the League’s website at www.munileagueratings.org.

Municipal League Ratings

Legislative District 11

Candidate Rating Website Party Washington State Senate Kristin Thompson Adequate http://www.electkristinthompson.com/
Republican
Washington State Senate Bob Hasegawa Very Good http://bobhasegawa.com/ Democrat

Washington State House of Representatives Position 1

Zachary Hudgins Very Good www.zackhudgins.com Democrat Washington State House of Representatives Position 1 James Flynn
Adequate www.electjimflynn.com

Democrat

Legislative District 11 - Position 2

Sarah Wright
Not Qualified www.sarahsanoywright.com
Republican Legislative District 11 - Position 2 Steven Bergquist Very Good www.Steve4house.com Democrat Legislative District 11 - Position 2 Stephanie Bowman Very Good http://stephaniebowman.com Democrat

Legislative District 11 - Position 2

Robert Holland Good www.electrobholland.com Democrat

Legislative District 11 - Position 2

Bobby Virk Good http://virkforhouse.com

Democrat

Legislative District 37

Candidate Rating Website Party Washington State House of Representitives Tamra Smilanich Adequate www.electtamra.com N/A Washington State House of Representitives Eric Pettigrew Very Good www.housedemocrats.wa.gov/roster/rep-eric-pettigrew Democrat

Legislative District 33

Candidate Rating Website Party Washington State House of Representitives Tina Orwall Outstanding www.electtinaorwall.com Democrat Washington State House of Representitives Will Benge Insufficient Information to Rate not provided Republican

Legislative District 41

Candidate Rating Website Party Washington State Senate Maureen A Judge Good http://www.maureenjudge.com/ Democrat Washington State Senate Steve Litzow (incumbent) Very Good https://www.votizen.com/wa-senator-steve-litzow/ Republican

Washington State House of Representatives Position 1

Tim Eaves Very Good www.eaves4staterep.com Republican Washington State House of Representatives Position 1 Marcie Maxwell (incumbent) Good http://www.marciemaxwell.org/ Democrat

To download the candidate questionnaires, go to the 2012 Washington State Legislature – Candidate Ratings website.

Sheriff Candidate Rating Website King County Sheriff John Urquhart Good www.johnforsheriff.com Non - Partisan Race King County Sheriff Steve Strachan Outstanding www.steveforsheriff.com Non - Partisan Race

To download questionnaires, go to the 2012 King County Sheriff – Candidate Ratings website.