King County Democrats congratulate victorious endorsed candidates

Following the release of initial results in the November 2016 general election, King County Democratic Chair Rich Erwin congratulated the party’s many endorsed candidates on their strong showing both in and out of King County.

Democrats are poised to keep control of the state’s executive department and state House, while gaining a seat in the Washington State Senate. In addition, progressive ideas on the ballot, from I-1433 (minimum wage) to Regional Proposition 1 (Sound Transit 3) are passing.

“Tonight, we are proud of our work around King County to strengthen our Democratic caucuses in Olympia,” said Erwin. “We are delighted to see Lisa Wellman, Jason Ritchie, Mike Pellicciotti, and Kristine Reeves ahead in their respective races. We are also incredibly proud of our statewide candidates, from Governor Jay Inslee and Patty Murray to our downballot candidates Cyrus Habib, Hilary Franz, and Pat McCarthy. Most of our executive department positions were open seats this year, and we’ve succeeded in electing a new generation of Democratic leaders to most of those positions.”

“I want to personally thank all our PCOs, supporters, organizers and candidates this evening. After a long election cycle, it’s time to rest, recuperate, and recharge. We have much more work ahead of us. The struggle for an America that works for all of us will continue. To quote Ted Kennnedy: ‘The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.'”