Campaign trail for August 3

The Olympian | • Published August 02, 2008

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Commissioner debate airs today on TCTV

Thurston Community Television, Comcast Channel 22, will broadcast a forum by the five Thurston County Commission candidates at 6:30 p.m. today, 8 p.m. Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. Aug. 11, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Aug. 16, and 11:30 a.m. Aug. 18.

The five candidates — Democrats Lucius Daye, Jon Halvorson and Sandra Romero, Republican Robin Edmonson and independent Bill Pilkey — are running for the open District 2 seat being vacated by retiring Commissioner Diane Oberquell. District 2 covers the eastern third of Thurston County, including Lacey, Yelm and Rainier.

The forum, moderated by the League of Women Voters of Thurston County, is in advance of the county's Aug. 19 primary elections.

The program also is available by Web cast starting Monday at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid-1095792808038371722&hlen.

I-1029 signatures pass; court fight next

Initiative 1029 cleared one hurdle to qualify for the Nov. 4 ballot Friday but still faces a Sept. 4 hearing in the Supreme Court to consider arguments that it should instead be sent to the Legislature.

I-1029 would add background checks and raise training standards for long-term-care workers statewide. The cost would be about $23 million in the next budget cycle. Secretary of State Sam Reed's staff verified Friday that the measure has enough valid voter signatures to qualify for the ballot after using a sampling process.

But the matter is headed to court because the original petitions were flawed, listing the measure as an initiative to the Legislature, which is what voters signed. The Community Care Coalition of Washington, which opposes the Service Employees International Union-backed initiative, has sued to block it from the ballot.

The court scheduled a hearing at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 4.

Candidate for judge plans event Tuesday

Jodi Erikson-Muldrew will kick off her campaign for Thurston County District Court judge from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Olympia Country and Golf Club. She plans to talk about her campaign.