Press Release Dated June 28, 2011
State Senator Jim Kastama (D-Puyallup) thanked Secretary of State Sam Reed for his years of dedicated public service. “Secretary Reed has been a tremendous steward of the State Seal and advocate for the rights of voters in Washington. I deeply respect Sam’s integrity and his commitment to fairness. I wish him and Margie the best.”
Today, Kastama confirmed he would seek the office of Washington State Secretary of State. Kastama will make a formal public announcement at the Puyallup City Hall 25th district legislative reception on July 5th at 6:00 pm. In discussing his upcoming campaign announcement, Kastama also thanked the community where his legislative career began. "I am honored by the good people of Puyallup and the 25th district in Pierce County who have put their faith in me for five consecutive elections. My family and I will rely on the good spirit of our community as we embark on this new and exciting journey."
Kastama enters the race with the backing of the past four Democratic Senate leaders, Senator Larry Vognild, Senator Marc Gaspard, Senator Sid Snyder, and current Senate Majority Leader Senator Lisa Brown.
Kastama brings with him over a decade of public service, a record of bipartisan accomplishment, and the enthusiasm needed to crisscross the state to articulate his vision and qualifications for the next Secretary of State. “We need a Secretary of State who will look at both parties objectively, and when there is fraud or reason for concern, we need someone willing to buck their own party to uphold the integrity of elections. I believe that’s me.”
Earlier this year Kastama displayed his independence by asking his Senate colleagues to deny seating a member of his own party whose election was influenced by manipulative campaign tactics.
As former Chairman of the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee, Kastama passed nearly a dozen election reform bills, including routine auditing of county elections, the purging of ineligible voters from the voter rolls, and moving the primary forward to allow oversees military personnel more time to return their ballots.
As Chairman of the Senate Economic Development, Trade and Innovation Committee Kastama has promised to bring a new dimension to the agency tasked with the licensing and incorporations of all Washington Businesses. “Under my leadership the Secretary of State’s office will serve as a hub from which businesses can access state resources to increase their competitiveness, enter export markets, and save costs.”
Senator Kastama invites those committed to fair elections, respect for voters, and growing Washington's economy to join a growing list of endorsers at www.jimkastama.com.
