Farm Bureau PAC Endorses Rossi for Governor; Other Early Endorsements Announced

The political action committee of the Washington Farm Bureau, the state's largest general farm organization, has overwhelmingly endorsed Dino Rossi for Governor.

"Our grassroots leaders are united in the belief that a Rossi administration will finally bring about the kinds of changes we need in Olympia - from solutions to the coming budget crisis, to fixing our transportation problems, to changing the culture of state government, and protecting our homes and families.  Dino Rossi's leadership is needed now," said Farm Bureau PAC Chairman Bob Stuhlmiller.

In an impressive show of grassroots support, Rossi garnered endorsement recommendations from 22 county Farm Bureaus across the state. No other gubernatorial candidate received any endorsement recommendations.

"Dino Rossi understands that in order for agriculture to be successful in Washington, it needs a business climate that is favorable and a regulatory climate that is not suffocating for farmers and ranchers," said Stuhlmiller. "Farm Bureau is confident that Dino Rossi's leadership will spur tangible, positive changes for all industries in Washington - and that's something we all can benefit from."

Farm Bureau PAC also endorsed Attorney General Rob McKenna for re-election, as well as several area candidates for legislative and local offices:

STATE SENATE

Sen. Mark Schoesler (R-9^th Dist.)

Sen. Linda Evans Parlette (R-12^th Dist.)

Sen. Mike Hewitt (R-16^th Dist.)

Sen. Don Benton (R-17^th Dist.)

Sen. Joseph Zarelli (R-18^th Dist.)

Sen. Brian Hatfield (D-19^th Dist.)

Sen. Dan Swecker (R-20^th Dist.)

Sen. Jim Hargrove (D-24^th Dist.)

Connie Lord, state Senate candidate (R-23^rd Dist.)

Sen. Val Stevens (R-39^th Dist.)

STATE HOUSE

Rep. Jim McCune (R-2^nd Dist.)

Rep. Joel Kretz (R-7^th Dist.)

Rep. Steve Hailey (R-9^th Dist.)

Rep. Joe Schmick (R-9^th Dist.)

Rep. Barbara Bailey (R-10^th Dist.)

Rep. Cary Condotta (R-12^th Dist.)

Rep. Mike Armstrong (R-12^th Dist.)

Rep. Maureen Walsh (R-16^th Dist.)

Rep. Bill Grant (D-16^th Dist.)

Rep. Deb Wallace (D-17^th Dist.)

Rep. Jaime Herrera (R-18^th Dist.)

Rep. Ed Orcutt (R-18^th Dist.)

Rep. Dean Takko (D-19^th Dist.)

Rep. Brian Blake (D-19^th Dist.)

Rep. Richard DeBolt (R-20^th Dist.)

Rep. Gary Alexander (R-20^th Dist.)

Rep. Lynn Kessler (D-24^th Dist.)

Jan Angel, state House candidate (R-26^th Dist.)

Rep. Dan Kristiansen (R-39^th Dist.)

Rep. Kirk Pearson (R-39^th Dist.)

JUDICIAL

Tim Ford, Court of Appeals, Division 2, District 2, candidate

Bruce Danielson, Kitsap County Superior Court, Pos. 1, candidate

John Lohrmann, Walla Walla Superior Court, Pos. 1, candidate

LOCAL

Commissioner Mike Blankenship (R), for re-election to Ferry County Commission, Dist. 3

Commissioner Brad Miller (R) for re-election to Ferry County Commission, Dist. 1

Terry Willis (D), Grays Harbor County Commissioner, Dist. 1, candidate

Commissioner Ron Averill (R) for re-election to Lewis County Commission, Dist. 1

Bruce Schulte (R), Lewis County Commissioner, Dist. 2, candidate

Larry Campbell (R), Okanogan County Commissioner, Dist. 1, candidate

Don "Bud" Hover (R), Okanogan County Commissioner, Dist. 2, candidate

Commissioner Jon Kaino (D), for re-election to Pacific County Commission, Dist. 1

Ron Wesen (R), Skagit County Commissioner, Dist. 1, candidate

Don Gordon (R), Skagit County Commissioner, Dist. 2, candidate

Farm Bureau PAC is the political action committee of Washington Farm Bureau, the state's largest general agriculture trade association, representing the economic and social interests of more than 35,000 member families.

Candidates are recommended for endorsement based on their voting records (if already in office) and their understanding and support of Farm Bureau policy. To see the complete legislative vote record for 2008 and past years, visit www.wsfb.com/issues/voterecord.