by Mike Andrew - SGN Staff Writer

This week, ERW (Equal Rights Washington) and the Seattle Metropolitan Election Committee (SEAMEC) announced their endorsements for the state's primary election. Ballots will be mailed to voters on July 20 and must be returned by August 7, either by mail or in person.

ERW is an advocacy group that has been working for LGBT rights since 2004. It successfully lobbied for the Anderson-Murray Civil Rights Act of 2006, a series of domestic partnership bills, and the Marriage Equality Act of 2012.

SEAMEC has been interviewing, researching, and rating political candidates on LGBT issues since 1977.

As might be expected, both ERW and SEAMEC are endorsing the Approve Referendum 74 campaign to keep the state's Marriage Equality Act, but that question will be on the general election ballot in November, not on the primary ballot.

This year, both organizations cooperated to send a joint questionnaire to candidates, and both have endorsed every incumbent who voted for the Marriage Equality Act - regardless of party affiliation.

ERW spokesperson Josh Friedes said the blanket endorsement reflected ERW's policy of supporting lawmakers who vote for pro-LGBT bills.

'We have been clear for many years that if people support our key piece of legislation, we will endorse them,' Friedes told SGN.

'It's very important to thank our longtime friends, and to honor those who've recently come around to support equal rights.'

For SEAMEC, however, the step was unusual.

'With the passing of the historic Marriage Equality Act in the state legislature this year, SEAMEC has taken the unprecedented step of endorsing every legislative candidate who voted for marriage equality,' SEAMEC said in a letter to its supporters.

Friedes said ERW was especially pleased to endorse some Republican candidates as well as Democrats representing more conservative districts, because they had taken political risks to vote for marriage.

'We're aware that their votes came with political challenges - challenges in their districts and with their party,' he noted.

Friedes believes that the biggest challenge for supporters of LGBT rights will be retaining control of the state Senate.

'All eyes are on the Senate,' he told SGN. 'Not that we lose sight of the House, but it looks like the hardest task will be keeping the Senate.'

Friedes went on to list a few races ERW believes are especially critical.

'Tim Probst is challenging Don Benton [for the 17th District Senate seat],' he said. 'That will be very exciting if he's successful. Benton has an awful record.

'There's an open [Senate] seat in the 27th, and we're endorsing Jeannie Darneille.

'Senator Mary Margaret Haugen is in some trouble' in her 10th district Senate race, Friedes said, adding that Haugen's Republican opponent, current State Rep. Barbara Bailey, 'has a terrible record on LGBT rights.'

'Steve Litzow [41st District, Senate] has voted for all the major LGBT bills. Litzow and [Maureen] Walsh [16th District, House] prove that equality is consistent with Republican values - that you can be Republican and vote for LGBT rights, and still get elected.'

Both ERW and SEAMEC are endorsing Democrat Jay Inslee for governor.

'It's hard to imagine a more clear-cut choice,' Friedes observed. 'We need to rally behind Inslee. He's the equality candidate and his opponent is not.'

Neither organization endorsed a candidate in the race for attorney general, however.

'[Bob] Ferguson has a long history of support for our community,' Friedes explained. '[Reagan] Dunn supported the County Council resolution [making marriage equality one of the county's legislative priorities] and he's taken a lot of heat for it - a lot of heat.

'We had a lot of conversation on our board about races like this - not that we have a divided board - but I hope this will be a harbinger of the way things will be in the future. I hope we'll see a situation where candidates of both parties support equal rights.'

For the state Supreme Court, ERW and SEAMEC endorsed Susan Owens - who joined the minority in Andersen v. King County to argue that Gay and Lesbian couples have a right to marry.

ERW is also endorsing Steve Gonzalez for Supreme Court Position 8.

For Supreme Court Position 9, an open seat following the retirement of Justice Tom Chambers, ERW is endorsing 'anybody but Richard Sanders.'

When Sanders previously served on the Supreme Court (1995-2010) he was known as an uncompromising enemy of LGBT rights. In 2006, Sanders wrote a particularly offensive concurring opinion in Andersen arguing against marriage equality.

In a race where SEAMEC made no endorsement, ERW supports Craig Pridemore for State Auditor.

'He's been incredible as a Senator!' Friedes exclaimed. 'Troy Kelly also supports LGBT rights, but Mark Miloscia had a very poor record as a state rep.'

ERW's complete endorsements can be found at www.progressivevotersguide.com. SEAMEC's endorsements can be found in this week's SGN and at www.seamec.org.

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