(Editor’s note: Primary ballots drop soon! For a list of all endorsements – local and legislative – made by AGC’s BUILD PAC so far, visit our endorsement page here.)
AGC’s BUILD PAC has endorsed Michelle Caldier (R) for the 28th District (Pierce County) State Senate spot. Rep. Caldier is running against the appointed Senator, Deborah Krishnadasan (D), who was named to the post to fill out the term of Emily Randall who was elected to Congress.
Since joining the State House of Representatives in 2015 after defeating then-incumbent Rep. Larry Seaquist, Rep. Caldier has earned an 88 percent lifetime vote record with AGC. Sen. Krishnadasan has been in only one legislative session, and her vote record is only 50%. An important differentiator was the vote on AGC-opposed legislation to allow striking workers to receive unemployment benefits: Rep. Caldier voted no, Sen. Krishnadasan voted yes. Another was AGC-opposed legislation that expanded paid family and medical leave regulations on small businesses. Rep. Caldier voted no, Sen. Krishnadasan voted yes.
Michelle was born in Bremerton and raised in Kitsap County. She graduated from Central Kitsap High School and earned her Associate of Sciences at Olympic College and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science from the University of Washington, followed by her Doctorate in Dental Surgery from the University of Washington School of Dentistry.
Michelle has owned a dentistry practice and was also an Affiliate Professor at the University of Washington School of Dentistry.
Currently, the makeup of the State Senate is 30 Democrats and 19 Republicans. Michelle’s race is considered the most “flippable” race among the several special elections on the ballot, and her victory would start the state on the road to more balance in the Legislature.
AGC members are encouraged to support Michelle and can do so by visiting her website.
Other recent endorsements made by AGC’s BUILD PAC in special election state legislative races are:
District 5 Senate: Chad Magendanz (R)
District 26 Senate: Michelle Caldier (R)
District 48 Senate: Amy Walen (D)
District 33 House Pos. 1: Kevin Schilling (D)
District 41 House Pos. 1: Janice Zahn (D)
District 48 House Pos. 1: Osman Salahuddin (D)
(Photo: AGC’s Jerry VanderWood and Len Zarelli (Merit Construction Northwest) recently met with Rep. Michelle Caldier.)