PORT TOWNSEND — Washington’s junior U.S. senator whistle-stopped through Port Townsend Saturday, rallying Democratic Party supporters to get out the vote while acknowledging a long-standing debt to Jefferson County.
“In 2000, I won the election by just 2,229 votes,” Maria Cantwell, D-Mountlake Terrace, said to a crowd of 40.
“I only won five counties, and this was one of them.”
Cantwell’s Saturday afternoon appearance was announced less than 24 hours before it occurred and was meant to psych up county Democrats in their final campaign push prior to Tuesday’s general election.
The rally, Cantwell’s only appearance on the North Olympic Peninsula on Saturday, was planned as an outdoor event but was moved into the Port Hudson Cafe because of windy weather.
Stumping for Murray
Cantwell, who is in her second term, was stumping for Sen. Patty Murray, D-Bothell, who is in a close race against Republican Dino Rossi of Sammamish, a former state senator and two-time unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate.
While many of her remarks were directed at Rossi in particular, she leveled general criticisms against the Republican Party.
“When President Obama was elected, we were facing the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression, and you would think the Republicans’ response would be to work together,” she said after the rally.
“The Democrats were attempting to propose an agenda while the Republicans were there to stick a wrench in it anywhere they could and have held up a lot of legislation even that they support.”
Cantwell is optimistic that Democrats will retain control of the Senate and the House of Representatives and won’t speculate about what it would be like to have Rossi as a colleague.
“I’m working toward getting Sen. Murray re-elected and am focusing on getting that job done,” she said.
Cantwell spoke out in favor of local legislative candidates Steve Tharinger and Kevin Van De Wege and Jefferson County Commissioner John Austin, who is seeking re-election to his District 3 post.
Van De Wege, 35, a Democrat from Sequim who is a firefighter and paramedic, is seeking a second term for the 24th District Position 1 seat.
He is being challenged by Republican Dan Gase, 56, a Port Angeles real estate managing broker and consultant.
Sequim Democrat Tharinger, 61, who is one of the three Clallam County commissioners, and Republican Jim McEntire, 60, also of Sequim, one of three Port of Port Angeles commissioners and a retired Coast Guard captain, are vying to replace Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, who is retiring this year from Position 2 in the 24th legislative district.
Austin, 69, a retired psychologist, faces Republican challenger Jim Boyer, 64, a home builder. Both are from Port Ludlow.
At Saturday’s rally, Cantwell attacked the notion that Barack Obama has accomplished little during his presidential term.
Obama’s successes
“After Barack Obama became president of the United States, instantly we signed the Lilly Ledbetter law to get pay equity for women as the first act that president did,” she said.
“Second, we got two women on the Supreme Court, and that was outstanding.
“And we got a new public lands bill into place to preserve public places, and we got health care and financial reform done.”
Cantwell said she was tracking voter turnout across the state and noted that Jefferson County was pulling in some impressive voter figures.
On Friday, the Jefferson County Auditor reported a 51.1 percent return.
Tuesday’s looming climax to the campaign season is early, awaited by at least one person attending Cantwell’s rally, 10-year-old Rowan Johns, whose mother is Sam Gibboney, Tharinger’s campaign manager and county Democratic Party executive.
“I’m looking forward to Nov. 2,” Rowan told the senator.
“That’s when I get my mom back.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.