"Who'll get your vote for governor?"
(asked at the Redmond Library on 09-12-96; published in the JA on 09-15-96)

Stan "Boomer" Youngs, CPA, Kirkland

"Ellen Craswell. I think that she is a woman of character and substance -- in marked contrast to many of the other candidates. And I like what she's done in the legislature. There are probably several other Republican candidates who are not dissimilar on policy issues, but she's more credible in terms of sticking to her promises."

Sheri Johnson-Feeney, Homemaker, Redmond

"Pam Roach. There are several of us gals who belong to a Bible study group and we were discussing the various people running, and it came down to wanting a Republican governor. And I have a friend I've known for 25 years and he feels she's the strongest. She wasn't my original choice -- Ellen Craswell was... I just want the Republican platform back in America. We need to get finances and family values under control."

Wendell Miller, Bulk mailer, Woodinville

"Waldo. I'm not deeply into political things and I don't turn the issues inside-out 20 times, but, like everybody else, I have personal preferences. And what I've heard of and about Waldo seems very straightforward and deals with the issues I find very important. Schools, crime -- these are the main things. And one of his opponents, Ellen Craswell, seems to be aligned with the religious right and I wouldn't vote for someone who's deeply guided by religious principles rather than political acumen."

John McCann, Security consultant, Woodinville

"Norman Rice. I'm a registered Republican but I don't feel like I'm crossing over. As you know, people vote independently for higher offices, and I think that the mayor is the best qualified. He is, I believe, the Senior Executive of the Conference of Mayors and they wouldn't have put him there if he wasn't highly respected. He also comes across as a person of exceptional integrity, and he faces the issues confronting him."

Michael Leon, Programmer, Redmond

"Rice. I like Locke, too, but Rice has more experience. And I'm happy that I don't see the Democrats fighting and sniping at each other -- it's refreshing."

Molly Hashimoto, Artist and teacher, Seattle

"Gary Locke. He strikes me as someone who works very hard and someone who works well with many groups. And he seems to be someone who can strike a compromise when necessary."

Copyright © 1996 by the Bellevue, WA-based Journal American newspaper.

If you'd like to comment on this Q, you can e-mail JA Editorial Page Editor Craig Groshart by clicking here. Please be sure to include the following in your message: