Two police unions endorse Esser in 8th District

By Warren Cornwall
Seattle Times Eastside bureau

Luke Esser says endorsements give him big boost

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Esser relished the backing of the two labor groups — the Washington State Patrol Troopers Association and the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs — in a race where two of his Republican opponents have extensive law-enforcement résumés.

"I know that this endorsement will give me a big boost," Esser said.

The Reichert campaign, meanwhile, downplayed the endorsement. Reichert spokesman Bruce Boram attributed it partly to Esser's leadership position in the Legislature, where the two labor groups frequently lobby.

"Both groups are active in Olympia; he's a senior senator. Not surprising," Boram said.

Reichert has law-enforcement endorsements as well, including the King County Police Officers Guild, the union for King County deputies; and the Law Enforcement Administrators of Washington, which primarily represents police chiefs and sheriffs around the state. On Sunday, he was named sheriff of the year by the National Sheriffs' Association.

Leaders of both groups backing Esser said they were drawn to his past support for issues dear to police and by legislative experience that they say would help him get things done in Congress.

"Dave's a nice guy," Mike Amos, president of the 5,000-member council of police and sheriffs, said of Reichert. "We want somebody who's going to hit the ground running."

Esser is the majority floor leader in the state Senate and vice chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. In the past he has fought efforts to weaken tough criminal-sentencing laws, backed a bill to discourage people from publishing personal information about police officers, and supported broader use of driving restrictions for people convicted of driving under the influence.

Reichert joined the Sheriff's Office as a deputy in 1972 and has been sheriff since 1997. Another Republican in the race, Diane Tebelius, is a retired federal prosecutor.

All three, and Bellevue City Councilman Conrad Lee, are running in the Republican primary to succeed Republican U.S. Rep. Jennifer Dunn in the 8th District. The district covers much of east and south King County and east Pierce County.

Warren Cornwall: 206-464-2311 or wcornwall@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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