OLYMPIA, July 21.—The Association of Washington Business released its initial endorsement list for legislative races this week, and this might come as a shock – just about all those who earned the “auto-endorsement” rating are Republicans. Of course, the reverse is true of the Washington State Labor Council’s endorsement list, released after its May 5 endorsing convention. Labor blessed a nearly all-Democrat slate. Go and figure. And so it goes, the yin and yang of state politics.

The AWB auto-endorsement list is comprised of incumbents who have scored better than 80 percent in the AWB rankings. It is not a direct parallel with the Labor Council, which was endorsing challengers and newcomers as well as incumbents.  One can expect more names will be added to the lists as November approaches.

Here’s the press release:

AWB Announces Candidate Endorsements

OLYMPIA— The Association of Washington Business has released its list of automatic endorsements for incumbent legislators with pro-business voting records. State lawmakers with a combined two-year score of 80 percent or higher on AWB’s voting record qualified for automatic endorsements.

Thirty-four state representatives seeking re-election this fall met the criteria this year, as well as eight state senators. Later next month, AWB will publish its complete 2012 Legislative Review and Vote Record detailing the 2012 legislative session. The 2011 AWB Vote Record is also available online.

“These legislators have demonstrated a commitment to advancing legislation that supports private sector employers in our state,” said AWB President Don Brunell. “Private employers, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, are the backbone of our economy. We appreciate the opportunity to work with these legislators on issues that matter most to our members.”

AWB 2012 AUTOMATIC ENDORSEMENTS

Candidates for the Washington State House of Representatives

Rep. Gary Alexander, 20th Leg. District, House Pos. 2 (R- Olympia)

Rep. Jan Angel,  26th Leg. District, House Pos. 1 (R- Port Orchard)

Rep. Mike Armstrong, 12th Leg. District, House Pos. 2 (R- Wenatchee)

Rep. Katrina Asay, 30th Leg. District, House Pos. 2  (R- Milton)

Rep. Vincent Buys, 42nd Leg. District, House Pos. 2 (R- Lynden)

Rep. Bruce Chandler, 15th Leg. District, House Pos. 1 (R- Granger)

Rep. Cary Condotta, 12th Leg. District, House Pos. 1  (R- East Wenatchee)

Rep. Larry Crouse, 4th Leg. District, House Pos. 1 (R- Spokane Valley)

Rep. Cathy Dahlquist, 31st Leg. District, House Pos. 1  (R- Enumclaw)

Rep. Richard DeBolt, 20th Leg. District, House Pos. 1  (R- Chehalis)

Rep. Susan Fagan, 9th Leg. District, House Pos. 1 (R- Pullman)

Rep. Larry Haler, 8th Leg. District, House Pos. 2  (R- Richland)

Rep. Mark Hargrove, 47th Leg. District, House Pos. 1 (R- Covington)

Rep. Mike Hope, 44th Leg. District, House Pos. 2  (R- Lake Stevens)

Rep. Christopher Hurst, 31st Leg. District, House Pos. 2  (D- Enumclaw)

Rep. Norm Johnson, 14th Leg. District, House Pos. 1  (R- Yakima)

Rep. Brad Klippert, 8th Leg. District, House Pos. 1  (R- Kennewick)

Rep. Joel Kretz, 7th Leg. District, House Pos. 2  (R- Wauconda)

Rep. Dan Kristiansen, 39th Leg. District, House Pos. 1  (R- Snohomish)

Rep. Terry Nealey, 16th Leg. District, House Pos. 2  (R- Walla Walla)

Rep. Ed Orcutt, 18th Leg. District, House Pos. 2 (R- Kalama)

Rep. Jason Overstreet, 42nd Leg. District, House Pos. 1  (R- Blaine)

Rep. Kevin Parker, 6th Leg. District, House Pos. 1  (R- Spokane)

Rep. Jay Rodne, 5th Leg. District, House Pos. 1  (R- North Bend)

Rep. Charles Ross, 14th Leg. District, House Pos. 2  (R- Naches)

Rep. Joe Schmick, 9th Leg. District, House Pos. 2  (R- Colfax)

Rep. Matt Shea, 4th Leg. District, House Pos. 2  (R- Spokane Valley)

Rep. Shelly Short, 7th Leg. District, House Pos. 1  (R- Addy)

Rep. Norma Smith, 10th Leg. District, House Pos. 1 (R- Clinton)

Rep. David Taylor, 15th Leg. District, House Pos. 2  (R- Moxee)

Rep. Maureen Walsh, 16th Leg. District, House Pos. 1  (R- Walla Walla)

Rep. Judy Warnick, 13th Leg. District, House Pos. 1  (R- Moses Lake)

Rep. J.T. Wilcox, 2nd Leg. District, House Pos. 2  (R- Yelm)

Rep. Hans Zeiger, 25th Leg. District, House Pos. 2  (R- Puyallup)

Candidates for the Washington State Senate

Sen. Randi Becker, 2nd Legislative District   (R- Eatonville)

Sen. Mike Carrell, 28th Legislative District  (R- Lakewood)

Sen. Mike Hewitt, 16th Legislative District  (R- Walla Walla)

Sen. Curtis King, 14th Legislative District   (R- Yakima)

Sen. Steve Litzow, 41st Legislative District  (R- Mercer Island)

Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, 12th Legislative District  (R- Wenatchee)

Sen. Mark Schoesler, 9th Legislative District   (R- Ritzville)

Sen. Dan Swecker, 20th Legislative District  (R- Rochester)

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