Joe Szwaja, Candidate for Position One, Seattle, WA
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Now Two in a Row -- 43rd District Democrats Say No to Jean Godden
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday July 18, 2007
Despite a recommendation for endorsement from the 43rd District Democrats' Executive board, two speeches in support, a personal appeal and the muzzling of "no endorsement" proponents, Democratic incumbent Jean Godden failed to secure yet another seal of approval from a District Democratic organization for her increasingly tepid campaign for Seattle City Council, Position 1. This is the second time in less than a week that a District Democratic group has refused to endorse Godden. These results, as well as the growing support for Joe Szwaja among Seattle Democrats, indicates a shift in momentum to Joe's campaign in the race for Position 1 on the Council.
In a meeting last night at the University Heights Center, 43rd District Democrats considered four options: whether to endorse Godden, endorse one of her two Democratic challengers, or to vote for "no endorsement." The 43rd District Democrats' Executive Board, unlike that of the 36th District Democrats, came in recommending an endorsement of Jean Godden. Joe Szwaja, a challenger for Position 1 on the City Council, and who is a member of the Green Party of Seattle, encouraged the last option instead. Joe has significant support from Democrats who are not impressed with Godden's record.
Joe's status as a Green Party member and not a declared Democrat made him ineligible to receive this group's endorsement. Nevertheless, the Szwaja campaign and its supporters overshadowed the Godden camp to effectively push the "no endorsement" option. Indeed, in a surprise to the campaign, affordable housing advocate John Fox and UW graduate student Trevor Griffey took the initiative -- independent of the campaign -- to produce literature in support of a "no endorsement" option and in favor of Joe's candidacy.
Joe's positive vision to protect Seattle's unique quality of life in a time of rapid change resonated with Democrats unhappy with a City Council that has failed to check skyrocketing rents, a 450% increase in condo conversions since 2002, and a pro-developer, Big City-agenda pushed by Mayor Greg Nickels. Moreover, Joe's record of accomplishments as a city councilmember in Madison, Wisconsin struck a chord with the diverse 43rd District crowd. In Madison, Joe passed landmark legislation for domestic partner benefits for city employees and a citywide non-discrimination ordinance in 1988.
Regarding the outcome at the 43rd District meeting, Joe noted that, "Last night's meeting shows that our campaign is picking up steam and the incumbent is losing ground, even among groups that should be a part of her natural support base. Her record is not one that stands up to scrutiny. People want positive change, not more giveaways for developers. Trends look good as the primary approaches."
With the momentum increasingly shifting to its side, the Szwaja campaign intends to run an energetic campaign into the August 21st Primary. This weekend, look for Joe at the American Legion Grand Parade in West Seattle on Saturday and the Chinatown Seafair Parade on Sunday.
****** For more information, contact: Campaign Headquarters Priority
Press Contact
Joe Szwaja, 206.420.1830
campaign@joeforcouncil.com
Gentry Lange, 206.498.3937
gentry@gentrylange.com