Complaint Filed against Karen Valenzuela (D)

Thurston County Republican Party

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thurston County Republican Party Chairman, Scott Roberts filed a Public Disclosure complaint against Karen Valenzuela (D) today and calls for her withdrawal from the Thurston County Commissioner’s race.

September 23, 2009, OLYMPIA, WA – Scott Roberts, Chairman of the Thurston County Republican Party filed a complaint today with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission. Roberts alleges that Karen Valenzuela (D) has falsely represented herself as the incumbent seeking re-election.

Scott Roberts said, “Karen Valenzuela (D) has falsely represented herself as an elected incumbent by advertising a fundraiser for her re-election. The announcement appeared in The Olympian this past Sunday.

“The Sunday edition of The Olympian has a mammoth circulation of 39,000. And The Olympian claims 89,000 Sunday readers. Additionally, The Olympian’s website claims 345,000 unique monthly visitors. With this huge exposure of Valenzuela’s (D) false claim, there is no way to tell how many voters now believe that Karen Valenzuela (D) was previously elected as a commissioner.

“Certain words are protected under the Washington State law and regulated by the Public Disclosure Commission. One of those words is “re-elect”. When voters believe that candidates have previously been elected to the position, it gives that candidate a distinct advantage.

“I’m calling for Karen Valenzuela’s (D) withdrawal from the election because there is no way to ensure a level playing field and a fair election. There is no way to tell how many voters have been influenced by her false claim and now believe that she was previously elected as a commissioner, and there is no reasonable way to undo the damage.

Download the PDC complaint [click here]

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JT Wilcox Election Kickoff Event Exceeds Expectations

For Immediate Release

JT Wilcox Election Kickoff Event Exceeds Expectations; Attendance over 100 and contributions near $13,000.

Roy, WA, September 11, 2009: The Committee to elect JT Wilcox State Representative held its first event Wednesday evening. The event was targeted towards Thurston County voters and drew a crowd of over 100 to the Museum at historic Wilcox Farms. The campaign raised approximately $13,000 during the two week Thurston County launch period.

Well-known area businessman Larry Schorno emceed the event, highlighting Wilcox’s history of accomplishment and service including his posts as CFO of Wilcox Farms, Chairman of the $100 million Got Milk campaign, lifelong membership in the Yelm Methodist Church and volunteer fireman. Former Thurston County Sheriff, Gary Edwards also appeared in support of the candidate.

Wilcox spoke to the enthusiastic hometown crowd expressing appreciation to the other members of the community who have been examples of service and voicing alarm about the local economy and over-regulation of small business and privately owned lands. Wilcox shared his concern that these factors plus the critical traffic bottlenecks make it very difficult for the economy of the district to recover properly.
Thurston County voters make up about 20% of the second district. The Wilcox campaign has scheduled a Pierce County Kickoff event for October 3rd.

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Valenzuela, Beehler will face off

Published August 19, 2009

Valenzuela, Beehler will face off
JOHN DODGE; The Olympian

Democratic incumbent Karen Valenzuela and Republican challenger Patrick Beehler are headed to the November general election in the Thurston County Commissioner District No. 3 race.

Valenzuela polled 44.5 percent of the 10,219 votes counted election night, followed by Beehler at 36.5 percent

The odd man out is Dan Venable, 57, a conservative Democratic hopeful, Thurston County native and environmental contractor with no previous political experience. He polled 18.6 percent of the vote.

The top two vote-getters earn a spot on the November general election ballot for a countywide race. Tuesday’s primary votes were limited to District 3, which encompasses western Thurston County, including west Olympia, Cooper Point and Tumwater.

“I’m looking forward to the general election race,” Valenzuela, 59, said. “We’re supported by completely different interest groups.”

Valenzuela predicted her environmental and growth management priorities will play well in the countywide race.

The former Tumwater city council member was appointed to the commission post in January 2009 by Gov. Chris Gregoire, filling the unexpired term of fellow Democrat Bob Macleod, who resigned for medical reasons.

She has spent the first eight months helping manage a major county budget crisis, clashing with Sheriff Dan Kimball over the Sheriff’s Office budget, and promoting county policies to preserve prairie lands, return Capitol Lake to a Deschutes River estuary and combat climate change.

Beehler, a 40-year resident of Thurston County, is a professional surveyor with a history of civic and business-minded activities, including work as a former chairman of the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce and as a 10-year member of the Thurston County Historic Commission.

In his first run for political office, Beehler, 64, has strong backing from the Olympia Master Builders and has been critical of Valenzuela’s handling of the county budget and rural land preservation tactics.

“I feel real good about it,” Beehler said of his second-place finish. “I look forward to campaigning in the rest of the county.”

Venable threw his support behind Beehler, saying the Republican challenger’s political positions are closely aligned with his.

“I think Valenzuela’s dealings with the sheriff’s department are out to lunch,” Venable said.

In the weeks leading up to the Tuesday primary vote, Beehler raised $24,238 and spent $18,502, according to state Public Disclosure Commission records. Valenzuela raised $22,306 and spent $13,280 while Venable raised $5,960 and spent $5,111.

The commission seat pays $105,276 a year and will be up for election again in 2010 for a four-year term.

John Dodge: 360-754-5444

jdodge@theolympian.com

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Obama’s failed experiment

The RNC releases an ad of Obama’s first 200 days calling it a failed experiment.

 

 

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Realtors snub Karen Valenzuela

You may be wondering: “Who is missing from the Realtor’s endorsement?” Karen Valenzuela?

With a strong message of change, the Realtors endorsed both challengers to the County commission. An unusual move to be sure, but the message is clear: Not many are happy with the current board of commissioners and pretty much everyone wants a change.

The press release from Beehler’s and Venable’s campaign follows:

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pat Beehler can be reached at (360) 339-7923

Dan Venable can be reached at (360) 239-3828

Beehler and Venable receive co-endorsement from Thurston County Realtors

Olympia, WA, August 6, 2009 The Thurston County REALTORS® Association surprised two local candidates with the PRE-Primary joint endorsement in the special election for Thurston  County Commissioner this week. 

All three candidates were sent questionnaires, and invited for interviews by local REALTORS®.  "Their questions were not only fair and reasonable, but also exactly the kinds of questions on voters minds all over the county",  candidate Pat Beehler (R) said.  "With over 700 members, the Thurston County REALTORS®  is uniquely situated to talk to and hear from people all over Thurston County.  It was great hearing from them, and I'm honored by their endorsement, and look forward to working with them."

Dan Venable (D) said "REALTORS®  are tuned into the local economy, and a key part of Thurston County's small business engine, and must be commended for their commitment to political involvement.  Candidates need to hear from the constituents, their organizations and associations - and the REALTORS® do a great job of interviewing candidates, and once elected keeping their elected officials informed.  I'm very pleased with their endorsement."

"The pre-primary 'dual endorsement' speaks to the similarities between Beehler and Venable.  Both have a business background, respect for property owners, and legitimate concerns about the management of the business of the County, "Mark Steves, President Thurston County REALTORS® observed. 

"And, both Venable and Beehler have a more realistic approach to problem solving, and do not affiliate themselves with extreme agendas, nor offer wide and sweeping platforms unaffordable in today's economy," Steves concluded.

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Colleen Morse calls for Brian Baird’s Apology

For Immediate Release                      

August 7, 2009

Media Contact: Colleen Morse

(360) 807-1983 

Baird Should Apologize for Comments

Centralia, WA – In an article published in the Chronicle on August 6^th, Congressman Brian Baird is stated as saying that he is scrubbing his normal face-to-face town hall meetings with his constituents because of a “lynch-mob mentality” and in the Columbian he accused his political opponents of planning "an ambush" to disrupt his meetings, using methods Baird compared to Nazism.  "What we're seeing right now is close to Brown Shirt tactics," Baird, D-Vancouver, said in a phone interview. "I mean that very seriously.".” 

In response to this reckless smear, Lewis County Republican Party Chairwoman and Washington State Republican Party Treasurer, Colleen Morse issued the following request for a public apology to his constituents, as well as appeal to hold public meetings.

“Representative Baird, as a psychologist and former college professor, knows the importance of the words he uses.  The reference to Nazism and the equating of his constituents to Brown Shirts is very offensive, not only to the brave veterans in our state who have fought in wars from Europe to Iraq and Afghanistan, but to all freedom-loving citizens who value their right to express their personal opinions about the actions being taken by their elected representatives – whether or not they agree with them.”  

“Representative Baird’s has never been reluctant to stand before his constituents in the past.  He prides himself on his record of town hall meetings all over the 3^rd Congressional District.  Extremely vocal opposition to any position he has taken in the past has never prevented him from standing up at meetings, listening to what the voters in his district felt about his positions and giving his reasons for his vote. 

“Hiding from his constituents now during this very crucial break, not being willing to listen to them – no matter the difference of opinion they may hold - and stating that he will take up town hall meetings in September, only leads me to one conclusion – Brian Baird is not in Washington, DC to represent us, but to do the bidding of the President and Nancy Pelosi.  If he is not willing to meet with us, then he should seriously consider not running for the office again.  Representative Baird should reconsider his decision and quickly set up and advertise meetings throughout his Congressional district before he returns to Washington, DC,” Mrs. Morse added.

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Brian Baird cancels live town hall meetings

For Immediate Release                                                                              

Contact: Patrick Bell, www.wsrp.org

August 6, 2009

Paranoia Will Destroy Ya…
Brian Baird Sees Brown Shirts In His Sleep, And We’re Not Talking About UPS Delivery Men

“What we’re seeing right now is close to Brown Shirt tactics. I mean that very seriously.”
--Brian Baird, The Columbian, Aug. 6, 2009

“It’s hard to tell which is more ridiculous: 1) Brian Baird comparing opponents of government-run health care to Adolf Hitler’s Nazi stormtroopers, or 2) taking any of Brian Baird’s disingenuous double-talk on health care seriously, let alone very seriously.
--WSRP Chairman Luke Esser

Bellevue, WA -- Congressman Brian Baird announced in a story in The Columbian this morning that he will no longer hold live town hall meetings with his constituents because he feared “Brown Shirt tactics.” Interestingly, Baird is scheduled to be the keynote speaker tonight at the annual conference of the American Psychologists Association in Toronto, Canada. WSRP Chairman Luke Esser offered the following statement:
“Brian Baird may be terrified of speaking with his constituents during the August congressional recess, but he’s apparently not afraid of speaking at a conference of psychologists in Toronto, Canada. Baird is proving that he definitely has the courage to leave the country and speak to a group that won’t ask him why he’s racking up unprecedented levels of federal spending and deficits and voting for so many bills he hasn’t read. Tough questions and forthright comments are such a hassle, so thank goodness Brian Baird will be welcomed by such a friendly audience in a country with the type of government-run health care he and Nancy Pelosi are trying to recreate in America. Maybe while he’s there one of the psychologists in attendance can diagnose Baird and explain why he sees so many Nazi stormtroopers dancing in brown shirts in his dreams. We wish him a full and speedy recovery from his delusions.”

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