Election Day Results 2008

I've been putting off writing about the outcome of the election for several reasons. I've never been more proud to be a democrat and excited for the transition of the president. The announcement that Barack Obama had been elected was a moment in life I will never forget. Kent and I went to the Democratic Party Headquarters at the Westin in downtown Seattle and stood among thousands of people - many (including myself) with tears in their eyes! What an incredible experience!

The second reason that I have been putting off writing is because I wanted to provide an update on all of the items I was tracking this election and several are still undecided and too close to call.

The final and most difficult reason is due to how poorly the issues dealing with gay rights did in this election - most notably Prop. 8 in California. I feel like one must feel when they pick six of seven numbers in the lottery. You win several thousand dollars and you're totally excited, jumping up and down - "Oh my God - I won"! - and then the realization that had you picked one more correct number the difference in your winning would have been huge! You're conflicted - on one hand you should be totally excited and you are, but you grieve for what could have been.

That's how I feel. For the most part the candidates and issues that I wanted to see do well had a good night. But the issues that were the most personal to me and had the most impact to my rights as a gay man were defeated.

Kent and I were just in California this past weekend and while there, we did our part to see that Prop. 8 was not passed. The picture below was taken at a No on 8 rally we attended in Santa Monica over the weekend - that's me in the purple hat and shirt to the left holding the sign in the air! (We were in town to see the Huskies get killed by USC)

This particular vote was not just about banning gay marriage but it actually removed a right passed by the legislature from a group of people. Americans should be outraged - where does it stop and who will be next? While it was a fairly close vote it's frustrating and wrong! Much of the support for Prop. 8 came from out of state - specifically the Mormon church. Rights should not be determined by the will of the people. If this were the case just how long do you think it would have been before women were allowed to vote or biracial marriages were legal? Gay marriage does not undermine the foundation family or what some consider "traditional" marriage. Divorce, infidelity, lack of communication, lying, lack of commitment - these are things that undermine families and marriages, not two human being who happen to be of the same gender wanting to be partnered and grow old together.

Enough of this - the fight will continue. I am so proud to have witnessed an African American elected to the office of the President in my lifetime - I hope I live long enough to see the day when gay men and women will be given the same rights of our straight counterparts.

Now - how did my candidates/issues fair?

President - Barack Obama

Won!

This picture was taken at the Westin Hotel in Seattle when CNN announced that Barack had won!

Proposition 8 in California - No

Passed (bad thing)- changing the California State constitution to ban gay marriage.

Washington State Governor - Christine Gregoire

Won! J Decisive victory in a race that many thought would be very close.

This picture was taken at the Westin in Seattle on election night - Governor Christine Gregoire is in red celebrating her victory!

King County Sound Transit Prop. 1 - Yes

Passed (good thing) - Imposes a sales tax increase of .5 percent, a nickel per $10, to pay for a plan Sound Transit estimates at $22.8 billion. It would expand light rail to Bellevue, Lynnwood and Federal Way.

Washington State Death with Dignity Initiative 1000 - Yes

Passes (good thing) - Washington will become the second state to allow doctors to prescribe lethal doses of medication for terminally ill patients.

Washington State Initiative-985 - No

Failed - (good thing) - Would have opened carpool lanes during not peak hours to all traffic. It sounds good but is way more complicated than that.

Florida Amendment 2 - No

Passed (bad thing) - Marriage defined in the state's constitution as between a man and a woman. Difference between CA and FL - it was not already previously legal in FL.

Arizona Proposition 102 - No

Passed (bad thing) - Marriage defined in the state's constitution as between a man and a woman. Difference between AZ and FL - it was not already previously legal in AZ.

Arkansas Act 1 - No

Passed (bad thing) - Voters in Arkansas approved a measure preventing adoptive or foster care children from being placed in homes with couples who live together out of wedlock, whether those adults are heterosexual or homosexual. This is just plan stupid!

30th Legislative Dist. - Carol Gregory

Still undecided - this is the district that Kent and I live.

33rd Legislative Dist. - Tina Orwall

Won - Tina is a friend through work who will serve us well at the state level! Congratulations Tina!

45th Legislative Dist. - Roger Goodman

Still Undecided - although Roger is way ahead and the incumbent - Roger is on my King County Administrative Board for Substance Abuse and is an attorney who is very knowledgeable and progressive in the areas of drug laws and treatment. Roger will serve us well at the state level.

9th Congressional Dist. - Adam Smith

Won - this is the District that Kent and I live.

8th Congressional Dist. - Darcy Burner

Still undecided - this is a rematch that was also very close. May be a week or more before we find out! Go Darcy!

Overall - Demarcates to reach the magic number of 60 in the Senate!

Did not reach the magic number but democrats did very well overall!

So there you have it - overall very good results but more work to be done!
Have a good one-

Jim