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More than 96 percent of National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) members in the state have endorsed Dino Rossi for governor.
“Our members have spoken, and they couldn’t be more clear or emphatic — they’re ready for Dino Rossi to move into the governor’s mansion in Olympia,” said Troy Nichols, NFIB’s Washington state director.
Meanwhile, the Washington Association of Realtors (WAR), the Associated General Contractors (AGC), and the King County Police Officers Guild have all also announced their support for Rossi.
The WAR made its announcement following interviews of both Rossi and Gov. Christine Gregoire by a 17-member statewide candidate interview team.
“Washington State is fortunate to have two highly-qualified candidates for Governor,” said WAR President Jan Ellingson. “It was a tough decision, but, in the end, we felt Dino’s background in real estate and his leadership on budget issues while in the state legislature made him the best candidate to address the issues facing our industry and our state.”
With this endorsement comes the financial support of the Realtors Political Action Committee (RPAC). RPAC does not favor political parties, but candidates who share the organization’s concerns about the housing industry, homebuyers, and homeownership in Washington. In 2004, RPAC invested $750,000 in direct contributions and independent expenditures for political races around the state; about 92 percent of Realtor-endorsed candidates were elected to office.
“Dino believes that the state should live within its means, and so do we,” said Bill Riley, WAR vice-president of government affairs. “He also understands the need to address the lack of housing affordability that’s pushing home ownership further and further from the reach of middle-income families.”
Riley pointed out that housing is not a priority on Gregoire’s policy agenda, which she has stated includes health care, transportation, public safety, education and the environment. “The reality is that housing is not one of her top priorities and it is clearly a priority for Dino,” said Riley, who participated in the Realtors’ interview process.
The WAR represent approximately 170,000 homebuyers and the interests of more than 2 million homeowners throughout the state.
Rossi said he was equally pleased to receive the endorsement of the Association of General Contractors of Washington. “They told us that they want to get behind our plan to bring the ‘How can I help you?’ attitude to state agencies. They also agree with our message of making Washington more friendly for small business.”
Like with the Realtors, securing the AGC endorsement was a competitive process. “In the end, they decided that it’s time for a change in Olympia,” stated Rossi.
Rossi also received the endorsement of the King County Police Officer’s Guild, which is the second law enforcement association to endorse Rossi’s bid for governor.
Steve Eggert, president of the King County Police Officers Guild, cited Rossi’s “impressive” views on public safety and knowledge of officers’ pension issues that led the board to endorse Rossi.
“I am proud to have the support of this important law enforcement organization that serves the most populated county in our state,” said Rossi. “These men and women work hard day and night to meet the challenges of keeping our communities safe and secure.
When he served in the state Senate from 1997 to 2003, Rossi spearheaded a variety of public safety legislation, including: the “Mary Johnsen Act” requiring ignition interlock devices on vehicles of chronic DUI offenders; the “Dane Rempfer Bill” punishing drivers who flee the scene of an accident; and the “Two Strikes and You’re Out” law sending criminals who rape and molest children to jail for life after the second conviction.
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