Democrats accuse independent Secretary of State candidate of being a Republican
For Washington Secretary of State candidate and Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson, running as a nonpartisan candidate to oversee the state’s elections has brought its share of criticism.
Most of that criticism is coming from Democrats who are using their platforms to try to discredit Anderson, with some calling her a Republican as well as encouraging their party to vote for Anderson’s opponent, Democratic incumbent Steve Hobbs. Hobbs was appointed to the office by Gov. Jay Inslee in 2021 after Republican Kim Wyman resigned to join the Biden administration.
Since the primary Republican Rep. Brad Klippert has launched a write-in campaign for the office as well.
“There is absolutely no reason for Democrats who care about making certain that every voice is represented in our state, with every eligible voter able to cast their vote, to support either MAGA GOPer Brad Klippert or ‘nonpartisan’ Julie Anderson,” said Tina Podlodowski, Washington State Democratic Party chair, in an emailed statement.
If Hobbs had an official Republican opponent in the current race, Podlodowski said no one would bat an eye at the proverbial mud-slinging coming from her party. Her job, she noted, is to elect Democrats, and she hopes a Democratic candidate will be voted into the office for the first time in 56 years.
The State Democratic Party has been critical of Anderson on social media as well, alleging that Anderson has actively “courted MAGA voters” by attending speaking events for the GOP.
Alex Koren, a spokesperson for the state party, told McClatchy that taking a party label off the ballot benefits the minority party in a blue state like Washington. She said she didn’t want to imply that Anderson was a Republican, but electing a nonpartisan candidate creates potential for someone like King County Council member Reagan Dunn, a Republican who once ran as an Independent, to run for the state’s highest election office.
Hobbs himself recently criticized Anderson on the podcast Hacks & Wonks for attending a fundraiser for House Minority Leader J.T. Wilcox, a Republican in the 2nd Legislative District that includes Yelm, Graham, Eatonville and the Nisqually reservation.
“If you’re calling yourself nonpartisan, I’m not sure why you would go to that fundraiser representing a party and some folks out there that want to put these elections back to poll voting and eliminate vote by mail,” Hobbs said. “And the same group of folks that fan the flames of misinformation and disinformation. She does have a political consultant that’s Republican, and a communications team that’s Republican and a treasurer that’s Republican.”
He insisted he wasn’t trying to “bash” his opponent, but encouraged listeners to do their own research.
Not all Democrats feel the same way, however.
State Sen. T’wina Nobles, a Democrat from Fircrest, recently cited several reasons on Twitter why she endorsed Anderson, including her partnerships with Anderson to encourage more women to run for office.
And state Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, a Democrat from the 27th Legislative District, also rebuked claims being made by her party about Anderson.
“This may come as a surprise to folks but I am NOT a Trump supporter and neither are all the Pierce Co Dems that support (Anderson for) SOS,” Trudeau tweeted.
Other Democrats have endorsed Anderson as well, such as Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards, Rep. Emily Wicks from the 38th district, and Jani Hitchens, Pierce County councilmember.
Republicans, too, are taking shots at Anderson.
Anderson told McClatchy that Republicans have tried to describe her as hyperpartisan, and claimed she had heard of Republicans who called her a “radical Marxist.” When asked for any specific names, Anderson said she was unsure because she prefers to not pay attention to false accusations.
“This is not unexpected, I knew this was going to happen when I stepped into the race as a nonpartisan because both parties want to protect their franchise,” Anderson said. “They are going to do whatever it takes to prevent a nonpartisan from being the next Secretary of State because they don’t want to lose any turf.”
She rebutted claims that she leans either direction politically.
“I interact with all voters, county auditors, and legislators regardless of their political leanings,” she said.
Additionally, she told McClatchy in an email that some of her staff formerly aligned themselves with Republicans, but that does not mean anything for her campaign. She explained that some of them have since been outspoken against the Republican party.
In regards to her policy positions, Anderson explained in the email that she supports policies such as ranked choice voting on a local level, same day voter registration, and removing other obstacles to voting.
In 2021 Anderson supported HB 1078, legislation that restored voting eligibility for those with felonies. While the bill nearly passed along party lines in the Senate, it is worth noting that Hobbs was the only Democrat to vote against the measure. The bill was eventually signed into law by the governor, and went into effect this year.
Caleb Heimlich, chairman for the Washington State Republican Party, denied Anderson’s claim that Republicans have been behind an effort to paint Anderson as something she isn’t.
“To loop us in with the Democrats and their attacks on her is just not factual,” Heimlich said. “I would say there has been a concern on some of her policy positions about how she would be as Secretary of State. ”
“Bottom line, she’s running as a nonpartisan but that certainly doesn’t entitle her to the support of Republican voters. They’re free to look at the candidates, look at their positions and then come to their conclusions,” Heimlich continued. “Any of our disagreements have been motivated by policy.”
People are then left to evaluate Secretary Hobbs, who as a Senator had a conservative voting record about certain issues, Heimlich said. He thinks some voters are torn between a nonpartisan who has “staked out some maybe more liberal or progressive positions” on voting rights for those with felonies and ranked choice voting, and a “relatively conservative Democrat” such as Hobbs.
Heimlich said the State Republicans are endorsing Klippert, who launched a write-in campaign for Secretary of State after he lost his primary bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse in Washington’s 4th Congressional District.
But Heimlich also noted that several Republicans including Dunn have endorsed Anderson. He said there were no concerns about a nonpartisan holding the Secretary of State office.
Other Republicans such as congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler and former Tacoma Mayor Mike Crowley also have endorsed Anderson.
More Democrats have endorsed Anderson than Republicans, Anderson noted in her email.
Voters have until 8 p.m. Nov. 8 to submit their ballots.
This story was originally published November 2, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
