Gov. Gregoire and Darcy Burner shine at GSBA Forum

Gov. Gregoire and Darcy Burner shine at GSBA Forum

by Mike Andrew - SGN Contributing Writer Gov. Christine Gregoire mounted a spirited defense of her first term in office before an enthusiastic crowd of 250 people at the GSBA's Candidate Forum this past Wednesday. "We've done amazing things in these four years. I couldn't be more proud of what we've done," she said. Gregoire's Republican opponent, Dino Rossi, had been invited to the Forum, but did not attend. Although Gregoire won almost 28,000 more votes in the August primary election, recent polling shows the two neck-and-neck. Gregoire beat Rossi by only 129 votes in a controversial election featuring multiple recounts in 2004. In such a close race, voters in key constituencies like the LGBT community can potentially decide the election. Gregoire was quick to point out advances in LGBT rights under her administration, citing the Anderson-Murray Civil Rights Bill and recent Domestic Partnership legislation as examples. Citing a Seattle Times article in which Rossi indicated he wanted to roll back some of the recently passed domestic partnership rights, Gregoire stated, "I believe in equal rights and equal benefits. That's how it must stay." While stopping short of a blanket commitment to equal marriage rights for LGBT couples, Gregoire insisted, "We are by no means done! I'm proud of what we've accomplished so far. We will respect and honor same sex couples." Responding to questions prepared by the GSBA's Public Policy Task Force, Gregoire termed the state's economy "resilient," saying that diversification and promotion of foreign trade had shielded Washington State from some of the worst effects of the national recession. "We accumulated a record budget surplus," she said. "Rossi is trying to scare people, when the truth is I cleaned up his mess. I found a $2.2 billion deficit when I came in office." Gregoire expressed confidence that her administration could handle future budget problems. "If we have difficulties," she said, "we'll deal with the difficulties just like we did then." Democratic Congressional candidate Darcy Burner was the other star of the GSBA Forum. Like Rossi, her Republican opponent, incumbent Congressman Dave Reichert (8th District) was a no-show. Burner is locked in what she called "the closest and most competitive Congressional race in the country." She narrowly lost to Reichert in 2004 in a district where demographic changes have made Democratic candidates increasingly competitive. The 8th Congressional District includes most of King and Pierce Counties, south and east of Lake Washington. "We face significant challenges at the national level," Burner said, "in terms of what is the role of government, what the government should do and should not do." Pledging to "keep government out of people's private lives," Burner committed strongly to fighting for equality for her LGBT constituents. Asked if she would support an inclusive ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act) that covered gender identity as well as sexual orientation, Burner answered with a resounding "Yes!" She also pledged to work towards reversing the "Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell" policy that restricts LGBT service in the US military. While she thinks the Federal DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) is "closer to repeal," Burner does not see marriage equality being on the Congressional agenda in the near future. "I think the courts will establish marriage equality long before it's moved legislatively," she said. "Then it will be a question of fighting a constitutional amendment to define marriage." Both Gregoire and Burner indicated strong support for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. Gregoire noted her frustration dealing with unsympathetic Bush administration officials. "We need a real partner in DC," Gregoire said. "No, we need two - Obama and Biden." "We have an opportunity to change the direction of the country," Burner added. "The presidential race is incredibly important. It's also important to have a Congress that will fight for change along with President Obama." The GSBA's annual Candidate Forum is the only one in the greater Seattle area specifically targeting the LGBT community. It is open to the wider community as well as to GSBA members, who are typically business owners and professionals, so it represents a unique opportunity for candidates to speak to a cross-section of LGBT voters. Other candidates at the Forum included John Burbank and Reuven Carlyle, both Democrats competing for an open seat in the heavily Democratic 36th State Legislative District; and both candidates for Superintendent of Public Instruction, incumbent Terry Bergeson and challenger Randy Dorn. Supporters and opponents of I-1000, the so-called Death with Dignity Initiative, also made presentations. Equal Rights Washington's Advocacy Director, Josh Friedes, spoke about King County Charter Amendment 2, which would add anti-discrimination language covering sexual orientation and gender identity into the County's Charter.