Vote for the Platinum
May 11, 2010 
11 Comments
Forget the fact that Andy Billig, a candidate for State Representative in Spokane’s 3rd Legislative District, has competed in Iron Man. The guy might as well be platinum. Not only does he have a well rounded portfolio of experiences ranging from parenthood to running the Spokane Indians Baseball Club, he has that kind of knowing and ethereal quality that wins people over both left and right. Literally.
Many are understandably skeptical that any particular elected official can make a difference in the quagmire that is Olympia. Delivering on campaign goals can prove difficult, especially when systemic change is what is actually needed. So if you want those jobs people keep talking about, or have a hankering for something like comprehensive tax reform, it is best to bet on the candidate who has proven their ability to articulate a vision, get people in alignment, and work like a maniac to make it all happen.
I am pleased to argue that this candidate is Andy Billig. Through the year I’ve served with him on the Citizen’s Financial Advisory Council to the Mayor, I’ve watched Andy repeatedly nail nuanced concepts that the group was searching for the just the right balance around. When needed, he easily takes on the role of conciliator, articulating what one party has stated in a way that is palatable to another so the process can move ahead. Through his steadfast participation, Andy has helped create consensus among a diverse citizen panel on recommendations for helping to balance the City budget.
Part of effective governing is reaching out and appealing to a variety of constituent groups. As far as young people are concerned, I have never seen a more compelling call to participate on behalf of a local politician. First Andy made sure that bright young people were well represented on his campaign team. Then he showed up at the Shrinking Violets Birthday Bash, a social event chalk full of younger folks who weren’t necessarily your usual political suspects. Then he asked local leaders what would be an effective introduction to his campaign. After seeking and responding to this feedback, his team hosted a knockout younger-person-focused event that offered plenty of opportunity for questions and constructive feedback.
All this and we haven’t even reached the filing deadline, which brings us to good old fashioned hard work. Andy has received financial support from more than 310 individual donors. This is among the highest in the state for any House of Representatives candidate, including incumbents, and demonstrates the broad, grassroots support of this campaign. Andy has already motivated 147 volunteers who are willing to lend their energy to his campaign. These volunteers have distributed literature to over 5,500 homes, and Andy has personally knocked on over 1,550 doors so far.
With all this mounting enthusiasm in the air some might ask “What is the point?” The point is that a surprising number of people in Spokane are willing to get involved to back something they believe in. They are willing to look around at their options, and contribute to their own success. Now that is what I call a point of civic pride.
- Learn how you can help Andy help Spokane on his campaign website.
- Show your support for this outstandingly qualified candidate on Facebook.
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Great article on Andy. what a fantastic candidate. We are lucky he is running and need to give him all the support possible!
I’m sure Andy is great. But he sure rubbed me the wrong way at the Birthday Bash. I was walking the along the vendor tables with a friend, and when I stood in front of his table, he asked “Do you live in Spokane?” I said (politely) “No, I don’t.” He then asked my friend the same question, and received the same answer from her as well. He replied with eye rolling, and an “Oh.” And turned back to whomever was behind the vendor table with him.
I’m not saying he’s not qualified for the position based on a quick, rude response to me not being a Spokane resident, but his response could have been more positive. I do have friends in Spokane who will be voting. His response still really bothers me. If he doesn’t care about you unless you are a Spokane resident – a warm body to vote for him -is he really going to do a great job in office? Will he care about your concerns, whether you voted for him or not? Or will you get more eye-rolling?
Most importantly, he rides sensible bikes (a Kogswell and a cargo bike). And he has been riding them for real, for the last few years in his pre-campaign life. A good egg, that Andy.
Jamie,
I can’t even imagine Andy responding that way! He truly is a genuine, authentic, kind person; someone who actually wants to be part of the change in our community/state.
Please don’t let that one interaction taint your attitude. That is not the Andy so many of us know and admire. I hope you get another chance to meet Andy and to get to know him. He’s the real deal.
The most important thing to ask someone who is running for this level of office is how high are their ambitions when it comes to political office. If they see themselves as a U.S. senator someday DO NOT vote for them. They will simply buy votes with tax payers money and get paid to run for a higher office while allegedly working for us. Things might get better in the short term but spending will increase. Then when they leave not only will we be left holding the check but they can say “Hey, when I was representing them things were never better!” Look for candidates that want to serve a few terms to clean things up then turn what has become a boring job over to someone else. Politicians are not celebrities. Politicians should not be able to campaign based on fixing problems they helped to create.
Tell me; are all candidates running this year going to get such a nice spread in The Spovangelist or just the candidates The Spovangelist wants to see win????
Should this be considered and In-kind contribution with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission?
In Mariah’s defense, this was posted in advance of the 3rd district nomination committee. She was posting to show support for Andy, who earned the nomination.
As a baby-eating, puppy-kicking Republican, I’ve found the Spovangelist to be much more fair minded than other liberal groups/people.
To White Male, politicians can do good work while moving up the ladder. The problem is our government will tax you to death, and then continue to tax you after you die. We should elect people that will represent our city rather than wealthy liberal interest groups in Seattle.
Vic:
We as voters need to look at all candidates and issues; not just the ones favored by the dominant media…
How many times has the dominant media favored a particular candidate or issue only to find later the candidate or issue was a poor choice?
Need I say….Jim West, Diana Wilhite, Brad Stark, Richard Munson?
Need I say Rathrum Refueling Station, River Park Square, Down Town YMCA
(After the junk mail fiasco in City Council over the last month, need I say Amber Waldref?)
This is precisely why we need not just the dominant media to have a review of candidates but also alternative media….
Does any alternative media have the courage to give an interview and a forum to candidates and issues or are we damn to her the single often wrong voice of the dominate media….
Opportunity for positive change is knocking here….
Windy,
your comment on the state of the media is spot on. Imagine if the traditional media had spent the same energy investigating Rev Wright as they did Sarah Palin’s wardrobe.
Journalism is currently in a transitional stage, with traditional media yearning for the “good old days” (see Brokaw, Tom) and new media gearing its message to specific demographics. The burden is now on the consumer to find legitimate news and make their own decisions. Some people say it has maken us better consumers, others say we only reinforcs our own ideas.
As far as this race goes, at least one Republican is planning to file for the 3rd; Let’s hope the Spovangelist can bridge the divide between old and new media.