Municipal League releases 2010 candidate ratings
Published 10:49 am Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Incumbents for Bellevue-area legislative seats generally did better than their opponents in recent ratings by the Municipal League.
The League reviews candidates for office throughout King County and candidates for some state positions. The ratings are available online at www.munileague.org.
To determine candidate ratings, volunteers throughout King County have joined the Municipal League’s Candidate Evaluation Committees to study the public record, review candidate questionnaires, speak with references, and conduct interviews with candidates. Committee members then rate each candidate on four criteria: Involvement, Character, Effectiveness and Knowledge. The possible ratings are: Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Adequate, Not Qualified and Insufficient Information to Rate.
The non-partisan ratings process is similar to a job interview and investigates each candidate’s potential to be effective in the office he or she seeks and to beneficially serve the community. Political affiliations or stances on particular issues are not considered during the League rating process. The Municipal League attempted to contact every candidate in a contested race. Candidates were rated even if they declined to participate.
“Our people and process are what make these ratings such important tools for voters,” said Matthew Stubbs, the Muni League’s Candidate Evaluation Committee Chair. “Committee volunteers commit to a nonpartisan assessment process that has been developed and refined by the League for the past 100 years. We use that same process with each candidate we evaluate to make sure League ratings are fair and consistent.”
The candidate ratings for local offices that will be on the August Primary ballot are (note – i = incumbent):
Legislative District 41
State Senator
Steve Litzow – Very Good
Randy Gordon (i) – Outstanding
State Rep. Pos. 1
Marcie Maxwell (i) – Good
Peter Dunbar – Very Good
State Rep. Pos. 2
Stephen Strader – Not Qualified
Orion S. Webster – Not Qualified
Judy Clibborn (i)- Outstanding
Legislative District 48
State Senator
Rodney Tom (i)- Outstanding
Gregg Bennett – Good
State Rep. Pos. 1
Diane Tebelius – Very Good
Ross Hunter (i) – Very Good
State Rep. Pos. 2
Philip L. Wilson – Not Qualified
Deb Eddy (i) – Very Good
State Supreme Court
Justice Pos. 1
Stan Rumbaugh – Very Good
James Johnson (i) – Very Good
State Supreme Court
Justice Pos. 6
Brian Chushcoff – Very Good
Charlie Wiggins – Outstanding
Richard Sanders (i) – Good
District Court NE
Judge Pos. 6
John L. O’Brien – Very Good
Michael Finkle (i) – Good
Judge Pos. 7
Donna Tucker – Outstanding
Larry Mitchell – Very Good
Ketu Shah – Outstanding
Note: (i) = incumbent
Here are abbreviated descriptions of each rating:
Outstanding – Has made numerous outstanding contributions requiring skills related to the office, is a path-finding and respected leader, brings knowledge and creativity to issues facing the office.
Very Good – Makes significant contributions, is a skilled builder of consensus, inspires confidence in the way he/she would serve, is thorough and attentive to issues.
Good – Has been active and effective in many roles, is capable of moving people to productive action, has strong record of participation in problem solving, shows satisfactory commitment to tackling issues.
Adequate – Has a record of participation and interest, is effective on specific issues, has provoked questions about suitability as an office holder, will need significant time/energy to fill gaps in knowledge.
Not Qualified – Doesn’t appear engaged, has a record that casts doubt on ability to be productive, hasn’t demonstrated ability to deal with responsibilities of office, has narrow focus, inflexible attitude or is otherwise troubling.
Since 1910, the Municipal League of King County has operated as a voluntary civic organization dedicated to effective and responsive government. For more information see www.munileague.org.
