Biden for President
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2020

Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz Joins Washington Leaders In Endorsing Joe Biden for President

Today, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz joined elected officials and community leaders in endorsing Joe Biden for President.
 
“To defeat Donald Trump, we need a candidate who can speak to, unite, and secure opportunities for our working class,” said Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. “Joe Biden is the candidate that will take the fight to Donald Trump and deliver real progress for workers in Washington State and America. He will lead on raising the minimum wage, making it easier to unionize, and taking on climate change.”
 
Franz was elected as State Commissioner of Public Lands in 2016. Prior to that she served on the Bainbridge Island City Council.
 
Today’s endorsements also include:

  • Monica Stonier, State Representative
  • Tim Probst, Former State Representative
  • Larry Seaquist, Former State Representative
  • Mike Nelson, Edmonds Mayor
  • De’Sean Quinn, Tukwila City Councilmember
  • Germaine Kornegay, Sedro Woolley City Councilmember
  • John McKay, Former U.S. Attorney             
  • Chris Stearns, Auburn City Councilmember
  • Sam Cho, Seattle Port Commissioner
  • Constance Rice, Community Activist
  • Jose and Anne Cassidy, Community Leaders
Franz’s endorsement builds on the endorsement of former Washington Governor Chris Gregoire, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, former Washington Governor, Secretary of Commerce, and U.S. Ambassador to China, Gary Locke, State Senator Marko Liias as well as numerous other Washington leaders from across the state. Biden for President has announced more than 1,700 endorsements from national, state and local leaders, including current and former U.S. senators and representatives, governors, state elected officials, and community leaders. 

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March 6, 2020

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan Joins Washington Leaders in Endorsing Joe Biden for President

Today, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan joined elected officials and community leaders in endorsing Joe Biden for President. 
 
“Working under President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden for five years I saw first hand how Joe Biden fought for working people, LGBTQ equality, health care and criminal justice reform,” said Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. “I know as President, Joe Biden will sustain that fight and deliver on our progressive values to address climate changes, reduce gun violence, expand access to college and opportunity, and invest in affordable housing.  Joe Biden believes in the promise of America and knows how to make that promise real.”
 
Today’s endorsements also include:

  • Brian Baird, Former Congressman
  • Joe McDermott, King County Councilmember
  • Keith Blocker, Deputy Tacoma Mayor
  • Catherine Ushka,  Tacoma Seattle City Councilmember
  • Sally Bagshaw, Former Seattle City Councilmember
  • Tom Rasmussen,  Former Seattle City Councilmember
Today’s endorsements build on the endorsement of former Washington Governor Chris Gregoire, former Washington Governor, Secretary of Commerce, and U.S. Ambassador to China, Gary Locke, State Senator Marko Liias as well as numerous other Washington leaders from across the state. Biden for President has announced more than 1,500 endorsements from national, state and local leaders, including current and former U.S. senators and representatives, governors, state elected officials, and community leaders. 

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March 5, 2020

Former Governor Chris Gregoire Joins Washington Leaders In Endorsing Joe Biden for President

Today, former Washington Governor Chris Gregoire joined elected officials and community leaders in endorsing Joe Biden for President. 
 
“Joe Biden will unite and heal our country. He is a leader who has dedicated his life to fighting for working families and I know on day one he’ll get our country back on track,” said Governor Chris Gregoire. “From helping pass the Affordable Care Act and the Recovery and Reinvestment Act, to beating the NRA twice and helping to negotiate the Paris Climate Accords — Joe’s record speaks for itself. Joe will not only defeat Donald Trump but help Democrats up and down the ballot in expanding our majority in the House and winning the U.S. Senate. I’m proud to endorse him.”
 
Today’s endorsements also include:

  • Norm Dicks, Former U.S. Congressman
  • Victoria Woodards, Mayor of Tacoma
  • Tim Burgess, Former Mayor of Seattle
  • Norm Rice, Former Mayor of Seattle 
  • Suzan Levine, Former United States Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein
  • Jamie Pedersen, Washington State Senator
  • David Frockt, Washington State Senator
  • Lisa Wellman, Washington State Senator
  • Reuven Carlyle, Washington State Senator
  • Eric Pettigrew, Washington State Representative
  • Larry Springer, Washington State Representative
  • Cindy Ryu, Washington State Representative
  • Jake Fey, Washington State Representative
  • Steve Bergquist, Washington State Representative
  • Steve Tharinger, Washington State Representative
  • Ruth Kagi, Former Washington State Representative
  • Penny Sweet, Mayor of Kirkland
  • Jennifer Gregerson, Mayor of Mukilteo
  • Debora Juarez, Seattle City Councilmember
  • Mike Dalesandro, Battle Ground City Councilmember
  • Karl de Jong, Sedro-Woolley City Councilmember
  • Maria Rosas, Union Gap School Board Member
  • Paul Berendt, Former Democratic State Party Chair
  • Martha Choe, Former Seattle City Councilmember
  • Mike Grady, Former Mercer Island City Councilmember
  • Julie Johnson, Lummi Tribal Leader
Today’s endorsements build on the endorsement of former Washington Governor, Secretary of Commerce, and U.S. Ambassador to China, Gary Locke, State Senator Marko Liias as well as 15 other Washington leaders from across the state. Biden for President has announced more than 1,500 endorsements from national, state and local leaders, including current and former U.S. senators and representatives, governors, state elected officials, and community leaders.

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February 20, 2020

Washington Leaders Endorse Joe Biden for President

Today, Biden for President is announcing the endorsement of 16 current and former elected officials and community leaders from Washington, an influential state on the March 10 primaries.
 
“Today’s endorsements add to the groundswell of momentum we’re seeing across the country for Joe Biden, including right here in Washington,” said Washington State Senator Marko Liias. “These Washington leaders know that Joe Biden will fight tooth and nail for working families and turn the tide against Donald Trump’s deeply personal attacks on immigrants, healthcare and the environment. Joe Biden is the only candidate who can build the most broad based coalition necessary to be successful on Super Tuesday, March 10, and beyond.”
 
Today’s endorsements build on the endorsement of former Washington Governor, Secretary of Commerce, and U.S. Ambassador to China, Gary Locke who announced his support of Vice President Joe Biden last month.
 
Today’s endorsements include:

  • Wes Uhlman, Former Mayor of Seattle
  • Charlie Royer, Former Mayor of Seattle
  • Rod Dembowski, King County Councilmember
  • Brian Sullivan, Snohomish County Treasurer
  • Dave Somers, Snohomish County Executive
  • Mark Mullet, Washington State Senator
  • Marko Liias, Washington State Senator
  • Steve Hobbs, Washington State Senator
  • Kevin Van De Wege, Washington State Senator
  • Dean Takko, Washington State Senator
  • June Robinson, Washington State Representative
  • Sally Jackson, Former 4th Legislative District Chair
  • Marvin Rosete, Former Washington State Party AAPI Caucus Chair 
  • Jason Rittereiser, Democratic Stakeholder and Community Leader
  • Roger Nyhus, Democratic Stakeholder and Community Leader
  • Rabbi Daniel Weiner, Community Leader
Biden for President has announced more than 1,400 endorsements from national, state and local leaders, including current and former U.S. senators and representatives, governors, state elected officials, and community leaders. 

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January 31, 2020

Former United States Ambassador to China and Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke Endorses Joe Biden for President

Locke Becomes Seventh Obama-Biden Cabinet Member to Endorse Joe Biden

Today, former United States Ambassador to China and Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke released the following statement endorsing Joe Biden for President of the United States:
 
“As an Ambassador and Secretary of Commerce during the Obama-Biden Administration, I saw firsthand Joe’s leadership and ability to deliver real results on behalf of Americans. From the Affordable Care Act to signing the Paris Climate Accords — Joe Biden helped make progressa reality. 
 
“Our current international state of affairs requires a leader with tried and tested experience in dealing with some of our most consequential issues. I cannot think of anyone better than Joe Biden to assume the role of Commander-in-chief at this critical time. I am proud to endorse him for President.” 
 
Locke served as Governor of Washington from 1997 to 2005. He joins a list of notable former Obama-Biden cabinet members that have endorsed Joe Biden, including Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew,  Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, and Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. These endorsements speak to the breadth of experience that Joe Biden will bring to the Oval Office and to the world stage.
 
Biden for President has previously announced more than 1,100 endorsements from national, state, and local leaders, including current and former U.S. senators and representatives, governors, state elected officials, community leaders, and national security professionals.

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