Anti-war candidate loses endorsement

The Democratic Party in Snohomish County's 38th Legislative District has rescinded its endorsement of Mark Wilson, the anti-war candidate running a longshot primary campaign against Sen. Maria Cantwell.

The endorsement has been brought up by Wilson backers as an official sign of support for the protest candidate. Cantwell has been dogged by anti-war Democrats who say she should renounce her 2002 vote to authorize the Iraq invasion.

But Rep. John McCoy, D-Tulalip, thought it was important to "show unity of the Democratic Party behind Maria Cantwell."

On Monday, the 38th District Democrats voted to endorse Cantwell and to rescind Wilson's endorsement.

Wilson said the move was done out of "reactionary fear for self-preservation."

"The incumbents are determined to protect each other over and beyond any Democratic values or rules," he said.