Icarus' Political Picks for Western WA

So we've all chosen whether or not we'll vote for Bush or Kerry.

We've probably decided whether we like the arch-conservative, crawled-from-the-slime-of-timber-money Nethercutt, or the Democratic salute-the-party-line milquetoast, Patty Murray, for Senator.

No doubt we all have a opinions about tough-and-mean Christine 'blame it on the secretary' Gregoire (Democrat) and slick-and-bought Dino 'I have a plan sort of' Rossi (Republican) for Governor.

But what about all those other positions on the Ballot? What about them?

Welllll, I've been doing a little homework. My picks are in bold.

( State Auditor - Brian Sonntag. This amusing mess is my favorite: his opponent is a nut-job. )

( Superintendent of Public Instruction - Judith Billings. Deciding issue: how do you feel about the new standardized tests in WA? Judith hates them, and so do I. )

( Lieutenant Governor - Brad Owen. Here's a situation where the good guy is winning, and everyone wants him to. )

( Commissioner of Public Lands - Mike Cooper. Do you want the guy who supports protecting old growth forest, or the guy who wants to mow them down? )

( Lots of State Supreme Court challenges. I say Mary Kay Becker (by a hair), Barbara Madsen, and Richard B. Sanders. The challenge to these justices is being driven by a legal decision unpopular with prosecutors. )

( Attorney General - Deborah Senn. I'm running out of steam here... )

( Superior Court - Andrea Darvas. Though I'm not excited about her. Judge Position 42 - Well, Catherine Moore only rates an 'adequate' by from the Bar Association, while her opponent Chris Washington is rated 'very qualified. No contest. )