After all the candidates’ mailings, photo-ops and rallies – at the end of the day who are they really?
What Aesop wrote long ago is as true today as when the story-teller wrote of public affairs in the 6th cent. BC: “You are known by the company you keep.”
So too it is true that candidates are also known by those who keep them – the organizations who’ve claimed these candidates as their own.
Fifty-thousand doors perhaps best describe Wagemann. Certainly that many doorsteps in Wagemann’s estimation, not counting the untold number – and perseverance – in steps taken to reach those doors in now his third attempt to scale the legislative peak and plant the District 28 flag, speaks not only volumes about his work ethic and thus what can be expected of him in Olympia, but the people who live behind those doors have had abundant opportunity to decide if they can reach the top with Wagemann.
Members of Human Life of Washington and the Association of Washington Businesses endorse Wagemann.
Kilduff’s summit team includes the “Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.” Washington State Representative Laurie Jinkins – one of “five in the caucus of openly Gay or Lesbian State Legislators” – is supporting Kilduff.
When asked by Seattle Gay News Contributing Writer Doug Hamilton – in Jinkins words – “how much progress the Lesbian and Gay community can make,” Jinkins said “Pierce County is going to kind of be the epicenter for important races this year (where) we have an open Lesbian running in the 28th, Christine Kilduff.”
“It is tiresome to be the only member of the Lesbian Mafia,” Jinkin said, in a ‘joking reference.’
NARAL and Planned Parenthood also support Kilduff.
“Candidates who are endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice Washington must be 100% pro-choice in order to earn our endorsement.”
The National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League “opposes restrictions on abortion and engages in political action to expand access to abortion.”
Totally on board with NARAL means “opposing parental notification laws and waiting periods for abortion care” – typically 24 hours.
In stark contrast, with regards to the value, dignity, sacredness and continuum of life, Wagemann is supported by Life Pac of SW Washington which believes, as Wagemann does, “in the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death.”
A decorated fighter pilot who rose through the ranks, Wagemann received commendations from the Navy, Air Force, the Marines and NASA. In his civilian career Wagemann’s experience and leadership have been demonstrated from the trades to technology, real estate to retail. In the process, Wagemann’s service to our community has included mentoring hundreds in leadership and involvement in neighborhood outreach programs like the Citizens Transportation Committee where he serves as chairman. Wagemann brings tremendous commitment and expertise in education as he’s been elected and re-elected to serve on the Clover Park School District Board.
Educated voters would do well to examine the depth of the crevasse separating these two candidates, noting both their individual choices and who supports their climb to the top – and thus to whom they’ll likely be beholden.
Whether the attempt is to win a seat in the State Legislature or summit the greatest of mountain peaks, there is a common requirement: “Everyone must stand on the shoulders of others, a ‘pyramid of people.’”
This election is both about the candidate’s claims and who claims the candidate.
Every election is.
