In ratings released Monday, the Municipal League gave both incumbent Democratic 32nd District State Rep. Cindy Ryu and incumbent Democratic 46th District State Rep. Gerry Pollet its second highest rating, “Very Good”
Democrat Wes Irwin, a Democrat who is challenging Kagi, and Keith Smith, an independent who is challenging Ryu, both had the League’s third highest rating, “Good.”
Running against Kagi and Irwin in the August 2 primary election are Republican David Schirle, who got the Muni League’s fourth highest rating “Adequate” and Libertarian Alex Hart, who got the League’s lowest rating, “Not Qualified.”
Running against Ryu and Smith is Republican Alvin Rutledge, who got a “Not Qualified” rating.
Pollet has one opponent, Republican Stephanie Heart Viskovich, who had an “Adequate” rating.
The Municipal League did not rate incumbent 46th District Democrat Jessyn Farrell, who is running unopposed.
The 32nd Legislative District includes the city of Shoreline, part of northwest Seattle, Woodway and nearby unincorporated areas of southwest Snohomish County, south Edmonds, the city of Lynnwood and part of Mountlake Terrace.
The 46th District includes Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and northeast Seattle.
The League says that its ratings are not endorsements but are evaluations of each candidate’s ability to be effective in office, and not on political affiliations or standing on public issues. They say that the ratings seek to provide voters with unbiased, citizen-driven information to inform electoral decision-making, to promote the continued practice of good and open government, to improve the caliber of public officials and to improve the quality of public policy.
League members say that to determine ratings, volunteers throughout King County review candidate questionnaires, study the public record, speak with references and conduct in-person interviews with candidates. They assess each candidate according to four criteria: involvement, effectiveness, character and knowledge, and that candidates can get any of six ratings: outstanding, very good, good, adequate, not qualified, and insufficient information.
Rating Wes Irwin and Cindy Ryu as both "very good" proves what a joke Muni League ratings have become. Cindy Ryu has been engaged with her constituents and completely briefed on the issues that impact the 32nd LD.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, Wes Irwin has lived in the 32nd LD less than a year. He has few, if any, donations from residents of the 32nd LD much less any citizen endorsements. His only issue is the McCleary decision, other than K-12 education his slender resume proves his lack of experience on issues concerning transportation, housing, public works, etc. He also had not done any outreach to learn more about these issues and 32nd LD concerns by the usual methods of candidate outreach.
I cannot imagine why the Muni League gave Mr. Irwin a "very good" rating given all of the shortcomings I have listed (and they are not exhaustive).
Well, Municipal League, you know what they say about opinions.
ReplyDeleteI give Cindy Ryu an "above outstanding" rating.
As for the charter schools issue, how do private schools, religious schools, and homeschooling play into the equation? Do families get tax breaks per child if they're enrolled in these alternative places of learning.