Information For Candidates

Date: July 16, 2014

The goal is quite simple: Elect as many pro-small-business candidates to the Washington Legislature as possible. The tactics: Find them, fund them, campaign for them.
There is a central clearinghouse for all three tactics, and it’s the NFIB/Washington state SAFE Trust Political Action Committee. SAFE stands for Save America’s Free Enterprise.
Are you a candidate for office, or a member who wants to get involved? The following is what you need to know.
Incumbents
There are many pro-small-business lawmakers currently in the Legislature. Endorsements for their re-election made by the NFIB/Washington SAFE Trust are based on their 2013-2014 NFIB/Washington voting record on vital small-business issues.
Challengers
Candidates for open legislative seats and challengers to incumbents who either didn’t score well or don’t have voting records must complete a questionnaire. An interview might also be required.
Typically, Washington SAFE Trust does not engage in primary election races where multiple candidates have demonstrated strong support for small-business issues. As a result, our candidate questionnaires generally will not be available until after the August 5 Primary Election.
As of June 30, Washington SAFE Trust has endorsed 51 incumbents and candidates, a list of which can be read here.
State Supreme Court
Washington SAFE Trust will determine at its June meeting whether or not to engage in contested state Supreme Court races. If applicable, these candidates will be invited to complete a questionnaire. An interview might also be required. Dates for this process will be announced after the June meeting.
Congress
NFIB’s federal SAFE Trust PAC conducts endorsement in much the same way as the state SAFE Trust does. Candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives should send an email to Sharon Wolff Sussin, National Political Director, or call her at 800-552-6342, for more information.
Preparing
Candidates seeking a Washington SAFE Trust endorsement would be well served to acquaint themselves with this website story, where they’ll get such information as what a small business is, what are the five distinctions separating a small business from a big business, and what NFIB is and does.
Election Calendar
  • August 5 — Primary Election Day
  • August 8 — Washington SAFE Trust candidate questionnaires distributed
  • August 29 — Washington SAFE Trust candidate questionnaire deadline
  • September 15-19 — Endorsements announced for challengers and open-seat races
  • November 4 — General Election Day
(Washington SAFE Trust schedule subject to change without notice.)
For further information, send an email to NFIB/Washington State Director Patrick Connor, or phone him at 360-786-8675.

Related Content: Small Business News | Washington

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There is a central clearinghouse for all three tactics, and it’s the NFIB/Washington state SAFE Trust Political Action Committee.

Click the above graphic to see Washington SAFE Trust's endorsements as of June 30.

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