A few things you may be surprised to hear about Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor Marcia McCraw: She’s pro-choice, in favor of medical marijuana, and supports gay rights. This sets her apart on the social issues from 12-year Democratic incumbent Brad Owen, who is anti-choice, uses his rock band and his office to crusade against pot, and is lukewarm on gay rights.
But McCraw, a Ballard lawyer who speaks fluent Chinese and recently worked for King County Councilmember Jane Hague, says she’s had a tough time getting her socially liberal message out. “I met with the head of Equal Rights Washington. He understood I’m 100 percent on his issues. When I asked for his endorsement, he said he couldn’t do it because he’d finally reached a detente with the incumbent, who’s not pro-gay rights,” she says.
Joshua Friedes, advocacy director for Equal Rights Washington, says his organization considers a number of issues when deciding whom to endorse, including electability. “We need to work with the incumbent,” he says. “Brad is somebody who we need to continue to have conversations with.”
McCraw says she had a similar reaction from a pro-choice organization that she declined to name. “It’s been really tough,” she says. “Campaigning for this office made it clear to me we should not have lifetime appointments. Democracy thrives on new ideas and new blood.”
Owen beat McCraw 52 percent to 26 percent in the primary, but an Elway poll out earlier this month showed Owen at 47 percent, McCraw at 19 percent, and 33 percent of the voters still undecided. Money is a problem, however: While Owen has $35,500, McCraw only has around $5,500 in the bank.
The lieutenant governor, because of the post’s narrow duties as president of the Senate and pinch-hitter for the governor, has the freedom to pursue initiatives specific to his or her interests. Owen’s focused on keeping kids off drugs. If elected, McCraw, a self-proclaimed fiscal conservative, says she’d promote trade with Asia, make Washington a leader in renewable energy, and create a searchable database for prospective volunteers looking to give back.
