Evan Smith: Correction and clarification on Shoreline Council candidates

By Evan Smith

ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

A reader points out that when I wrote about Shoreline Councilwoman Doris McConnell’s registering as a candidate for re-election, I gave the wrong amounts raised and spent by candidate Jesse Salomon. (see article)

The reader said correctly that Salomon has reported raising $20,410 and spending $7,105.

Apparently, the higher figures that I listed were for a candidate in Spokane, the city listed right after Shoreline on the Public Disclosure Commission web site.

Another reader said that I was wrong to say that many of Salomon’s contributions had come from active 32nd Legislative District Democrats. I made that statement because I noticed among Salomon’s contributors the names of Corey Murata, a former editor of the District Democrats’ newsletter, and Elaine Phelps, who has been a Democratic precinct committee officer and frequent supporter of candidates that the District Democratic organization has promoted for both partisan and non-partisan offices.

Although the reader correctly notes that Washington has no official lists of party affiliation, both Murata and Phelps certainly have been active in the 32nd District Democratic organization. The PDC web site also lists Phelps’ husband, Robert as a contributor to Salomon’s campaign.

The organization has endorsed Salomon and incumbent Chris Eggen for City Council and candidates for the non-partisan offices of County assessor and Seattle Port commissioner. The organization frequently has endorsed candidates for non-partisan offices as other Democratic and Republican organizations often do.

A third reader questioned my statement, "The District Democrats also have endorsed Eggen as they did four years ago, when he defeated former Councilman Paul Grace to replace then-Councilman Rich Gustafson."

It’s confusing but true. Grace was a former councilman because he had held a Council position by appointment from 2003 to 2005, when he lost to Janet Way in a bid for a full term. Grace sought to replace Gustafson, when Gustafson declined to run for re-election in 2007, but Eggen defeated then-former Councilman Grace for the position that then-Councilman Gustafson had held.