40 state lawmakers endorse Clinton

TACOMA — State lawmakers’ own campaigns for re-election are limited by the ongoing overtime session of the Legislature, but that isn’t preventing them from weighing in on the presidential race.

With Democrats’ March 26 caucuses approaching, more than 40 lawmakers have endorsed Hillary Clinton, her campaign announced Thursday.

In the South Sound, the former secretary of state’s Democratic supporters include at least three Tacoma lawmakers — Sen. Jeannie Darneille and Reps. Jake Fey and Laurie Jinkins –plus Rep. Chris Hurst of Enumclaw and Rep. Sam Hunt of Olympia.

Clinton faces Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the caucuses that will start the process of awarding Washington’s 101 delegates to Democrats’ July national convention in Philadelphia.

Lawmakers endorsing Sanders include Rep. David Sawyer of Tacoma. Sawyer said he’s one of at least six members of the Legislature backing Sanders.

Republicans will wait until May 24, when they will vote in a primary election.

Among GOP endorsements, Rep. Jesse Young of Gig Harbor backs Ted Cruz, while Sen. Don Benton of Vancouver supports Donald Trump.

Clinton’s campaign said in an announcement that lawmakers are organizing on her behalf and recruiting volunteer leaders.

“Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, I worked for Sen. Hillary Clinton in her New York City office and observed firsthand her tireless advocacy for first responders, survivors and their families,” Sen. Cyrus Habib, D-Bellevue, said in the written announcement.

“At a time when other candidates are spreading divisive and hateful rhetoric about minorities, immigrants, women, and people with disabilities, Hillary Clinton will bring people together to break down barriers.”

Others endorsing Clinton, according to the campaign: Sens. Andy Billig, Annette Cleveland, David Frockt, Steve Hobbs, Karen Keiser, Marko Liias, Mark Mullet, John McCoy, Sharon Nelson, Jamie Pedersen, Kevin Ranker and Reps. Sherry Appleton, Steve Bergquist, Judy Clibborn, Eileen Cody, Joe Fitzgibbon, Drew Hansen, Zack Hudgins, Patty Kuderer, Kristine Lytton, Joan McBride, Jim Moeller, Jeff Morris, Lillian Ortiz-Self, Tina Orwall, Strom Peterson, Eric Pettigrew, Gerry Pollet, June Robinson, Cindy Ryu, Tana Senn, Larry Springer, Derek Stanford, Gael Tarleton, Steve Tharinger and Sharon Wylie.

Sanders’ endorsements, according to Sawyer: Sens. Bob Hasegawa and Pramila Jayapal and Reps. Brian Blake, Luis Moscoso and Brady Walkinshaw.