Endorsements
Below are the Endorsements that I have chose to give out for the 2006 Elections.
Governor: Peter Hutchinson
Here is a race that I loathe. This is tough all-around. Hatch, imo, is an overly-aggressive weasel that will make a terrible governor. Pawlenty on the other had has a proven track record that he’s not a great governor, however he’s earned some points by pulling out of the death-spiral of negative campaigning. Hutchinson I’ve liked from the beginning being a centrist like me. I don’t agree with him on all things. The problem is that he is floundering in the polls, however, Ventura was in 3rd when the last polls came out. I have to stay with him though as he’s the only one that I think will do a half-decent job.
CD5: Tammy Lee
Now this is an interesting race. Sound-minded Democrats and Sound-minded Republicans are jumping ship left and right and supporting Tammy Lee. Ellison is far too divisive of a figure. Fine is running an abominal campaign. Tammy Lee, though is running a competitive campaign gobbling up Reichgott-Junge supporters and Erlandson supporters. Remember that in the primary more people voted AGAINST Ellinson than FOR him. She, following my centrist beliefs, is a centrist that will represent her district exceedingly well.
CD3: Jim Ramstad
This was a tough one for me. Ramstad’s a good moderate Republican who has done reasonably well…however I abhorr congresspeople who are so entrenched that they would have to kill someone to get removed. Last cycle I voted for Wendy Wilde for solely that reason. Not a great reason to vote for someone, admittedly. Wendy Wilde, who is trying again is running on this weak “Vote for Mom” platform. She is very left as well, and so not a great fit for the 3rd CD.
SD 45: No Endorsement (Lean to Ann Rest)
I have had a hard time with this one and found I cannot endorse either incumbant Ann Rest or opponent Derek Bingham. While Bingham has some decent ideas and seems to show a concern about small businesses which has be lacking, he’s way to the right. And his opponent, incumbant Ann Rest, is way to the left. Not exactly a paradise for centrists. Rest however is Number 2 in the Senate and therefore is in a position to help out her district.
45A: Write-In
Ungh! If you live in 45A (like me), I’m truely sorry. The incumbant, Sandra Peterson, ran last cycle (beating out incumbant Lynn Osterman) with the pretense that she’s a moderate Democrat. She isn’t. No way, no when, no how. Look at what she’s done (or not done). She’s been lock-step with the Dems every step and the only bills she’s authored have been more spending bills. Not even a suggestion where she was getting the money. Sarah Durenberger, though is a Republican hack as much as Peterson is a Democratic hack. She’s far more to the right than this district and is not a good choice. My suggestion, do what I’m doing. Write someone in. Write Ben Thome in (me 
), I ran last cycle. Or my opponent from last cycle, Lynn Osterman. In anycase, don’t contribute to the train wreck that either of these candidates would be.
45B: Gregg Prest
Okay, while I like to match the districts to the candidates, I’m jumping ship on this one. 45B is more Democratic that it’s sister 45A, but it’s incumbant is an old-school, tax-and spend Democrat. And he’s a horribly entrenched incumbant. That’s too much of a negative for me. Gregg Prest is a little more right than central though, but he’s a good choice. I was impressed with him last cycle and am glad he’s running again.
SD 43: Terri Bonoff
If you live in SD 43, count yourself lucky. You’ve got a couple of good candidates to choose from. Judy Johnson and Terri Bonoff squared off in a special election late last year. Bonoff is a centrist Democrat and has only had a short time in office. While I like Johnson as well, I say let Bonoff have a full term and see what she does. I think she will be a good choice for SD 43.
43A: Sandy Hewitt
Sandy Hewitt is a member of the Plymouth city council and has proven herself able to work well on both sides of the aisle and would bring that skill to the House floor. Anderson however far more right of center than Hewitt is left of center.