Glenn Anderson is running for lieutenant governor, won’t seek re-election to Legislature
December 28, 2011
By Dan Catchpole
Rep. Glenn Anderson is running for Washington state’s lieutenant governor office in 2012. He said Wednesday that he will make a formal announcement in early January.
He also said that he will not run for re-election to a seventh consecutive term as a state representative. Since 2000, he has represented the 5th Legislative District, which includes Snoqualmie Valley.
At least four candidates will by vying for the seat — Anderson, the incumbent Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, former state Sen. Bill Finkbeiner and an independent candidate, Mark Greene. All have filed with the state’s Public Disclosure Commission.
So far, only Owen has raised money — $41,000.
| Check out the candidates’ filing papers with the state’s Public Disclosure Commission: |
Anderson has Owen’s record in his sights.
“He’s been in office for 16 years and so far, there’s not a lot to show for it,” Anderson said.
Owen did not reply for comment.
The office carries few significant responsibilities. Official duties include taking over for the governor if she is incapacitated, presiding over the state Senate when in session, and serving on a handful of committees and commissions, such as the state Finance Committee.
Owen has focused on championing substance abuse and prevention issues, and has chaired the Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations.
Spain’s King Juan Carlos I knighted Owen in 2008 in recognition of more than 15 years of working with the country’s government on projects related to Washington.
Anderson acknowledged that the office holds little actual power, and said he would use the office to advocate for creating jobs, and funding and reforming education.
The situation in Washington is “a mess, and it’s not getting any better. So, I’m going to give it a go,” he said. “Doing what we’re doing now is a sure death train.”
Anderson has long advocated for fully funding education and reforming state education guidelines.
He also has gained a reputation as a fiscal conservative during his time in Olympia.
“No matter how good the cause for government spending, if you don’t have the money, you just can’t spend it and then try to terrorize, mislead or emotionally extort taxpayers to get more money. That’s just plain dishonest,” he said in a statement.
Anderson also served on each of the Legislature’s major budget committees and was a key advocate for getting performance audits of state agencies enacted into law.
For the time being, he is focusing on serving out his turn, he said. After the session ends next spring, he will put his efforts into the campaign.
“Then we’ll hit that switch,” he said.
Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com.
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Glenn Anderson is unresponsive to the needs of his district. I found that he will say what he thinks you want to hear and then just ignore his commitments. I won’t vote to give him a broader role and more responsibility. He’s proven he’s not up to much simpler tasks.