Dunn
McKenna
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - The Seattle Times has endorsed GOP candidate Reagan Dunn for Washington State attorney general.
In a staff editorial published Saturday, the newspaper called Dunn the "better choice of two credible candidates."
The former federal prosecutor announced his run last June. He is looking to succeed current Attorney General Rob McKenna, a two-term Republican who is running for governor.
Dunn, who was appointed to the King County Council in 2005 to fill McKenna's vacancy, was elected to the council in November 2005 and re-elected in 2009.
He is also a former U.S. Justice Department official and assistant U.S. attorney in Seattle.
His GOP opponent in the state's Aug. 7 primary is Stephen Pidgeon, the CEO of BiblePlex.com and the founder of The Faith Coalition, a group that promotes so-called "traditional marriage."
The winner will face Democrat Bob Ferguson, also a current King County councilman, in the Nov. 6 general election.
In its editorial, the Times staff pointed to Dunn's legal and courtroom experience, calling both "strong."
The newspaper also said there is a "political" reason for its support.
"A struggle has been underway in Olympia for several years over reforms to public-sector pay, pensions and state programs with the aim of slowing the relentless increase in state spending. It is crucial that this financial reset succeed, so that the state can have the money it needs for its central work, education," the Times wrote.
"Some reforms have passed, and several of them have been taken to court by state-employee unions. More reforms are coming, and they will bring more lawsuits."
Based on who their "political supporters" are, Dunn is a "better bet" to defend those reforms than Ferguson, the newspaper said.
From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by email at jessica@legalnewsline.com.