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Labor plays another card in move to slap unruly Democrats

• Published August 05, 2009

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State Rep. Ross Hunter is the latest exhibit.

The Seattle Times reports today on punches thrown by a coalition of unions at Hunter, a moderate Democrat, running in the King County executive race.

Political consultant Lisa Maclean said in an email to reporters yesterday that the attack, including a web site slamming Hunter's legislative record, is a joint effort of the Washington State Labor Council, Washington Education Association, Service Employees International Union Locals 775 and 1199NW, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 21 and Sheet Metal Workers Local 66.

Hunter is blamed in part for a budget that lopped education funding and reduced health care coverage. Labor groups are putting support behind another candidate, King County Councilman and former state senator Dow Constantine, whom Olympia "progressive" Democratic Rep. Brendan Williams is supporting.

The slam comes at a time the Washington State Labor Council is meeting in Wenatchee (starting Thursday) to go over its vetting and political-contribution policies. We reported over the weekend on the council's decision to exert more control over who gets funds and, more importantly, who gets the help with phone-banks and door-to-door campaigning.

The labor council also is likely to hold back its support for Rep. Laura Grant in another five-candidate race in Walla Walla. Grant is running for the remainder of her late father Bill's unexpired term, and her voting record was just 14 percent in the recent legislative session, which has cost her some donations from labor.

But Rick Chisa, a spokesman for the Public School Employees, pointed out in an email that PSE likes Grant, has endorsed her and gave her money last week (the last of which Grant didn't mention to us when we talked to her Friday):

That might be the exception that proves the labor rule that is emerging for the 2009 and 2010 election cycle. It's worth noting that Hunter also had a role in pushing HB 2261, and the Washington Education Association is unlikely to forgive him anytime soon.