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Your Vote 2012: Rob McKenna supports a public vote on gay marriage

February 14, 2012 @ 2:17 am (Updated: 10:32 am - 2/14/12 )

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After two terms as state attorney general, Rob McKenna wants to become the first Republican governor elected in Washington since John Spellman left office in 1985.

McKenna"Washington is not a red state or a blue state, it's a purple state," says McKenna. "We have a 50-50 split in Congressional representation, we are close to parity in the state legislature, our state has the largest percentage of independent voters in the nation, and it's a state where I've been successful."

McKenna was an achiever from an early age. He was an Eagle Scout, student body president at the University of Washington where he got a double major, and then to law school.

"My dad grew up during the Great Depression, went to work to help feed his family when he was 11- or 12-years-old. My mom was incredibly energetic and accomplished a lot as a school teacher and as a community volunteer," he says. "I guess I just inherited their energy and their love for life and service. That, and a little caffeine will get you a long way."

Washington has a "long way" to go, he says, to create jobs and strengthen public education. Those are two things that are key to McKenna's election bid, and those are two things that can't happen without his third focus - state government reform.

Union rules tend to favor paying all workers the same regardless of how effective they are. McKenna says that is "very corrosive" of employee morale and motivation.

"If you look to your right, and the person working next to you is just barely getting by and you're working a lot harder but you get paid the same, over time that's going to bring down your motivation to work harder. We're going to negotiate higher performance with the unions," McKenna says. "We're going to make it clear that it isn't all about a salary schedule and seniority or seat time, it's about improving performance and rewarding increased performance."

McKenna isn't afraid of taking on union leaders, and he thinks union workers will support him because they see government waste and are just as frustrated by it.

"State employees aren't the problem here, they're the solution," he says.

He also believes government reform needs to happen because voters have made it clear they do not higher tax rates.

"They've rejected an income tax. They've rejected increases in Seattle to license tabs. People are hurting out there, and with an overall unemployment rate last summer of 18 percent you can understand why," McKenna says. Voters are trying to live within their means, and he says it's reasonable for the state to do the same.

On her way out of office, Governor Gregoire signed a bill yesterday making same-sex marriage legal in our state. There will likely be statewide, public vote on the issue this fall, as there "should be," McKenna says, even though he personally does not support gay marriage.

"As a Catholic I feel that marriage is a union of one man and one woman, as a voter I voted in favor of Referendum 71 to provide equal legal rights for same-sex couples, I still think that's the right law," says McKenna. "For me it's not a matter of public policy, it's a matter of faith. I recognize not everyone holds that view. Once the vote has been taken, my views are set aside. I'm all about enforcing the will of the voters and upholding that law."

McKenna and opponent Jay Inslee, a Democratic Congressman, both have close to $4 million each saved up for the race ahead. McKenna has had to stop collecting campaign donations because state officials are prohibited from fundraising while the Legislature is in session. He has raised a total of $3.73 million, according to the latest figures from the state Public Disclosure Commission. Inslee has a total of $3.79 million.

By Linda Thomas

AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

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Jay Inslee's third revolution

Step aside men, asking more women to run

More from Linda Thomas

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Comments (82)


  • Add A Comment

  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    "Once the vote has been taken, my views are set aside. I'm all about enforcing the will of the voters and upholding that law."....
    February 14, 2012 4:50 am
    that would be a huge change for Washington....in contrast to the oppressive rule of elite fascist Democrats who impose their will on the voters rather than respect the will of the voters.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    as a moderate liberal...
    February 14, 2012 6:35 am
    this guy doesn't seem like a bad choice at all. he's doesn't seem to be about pushing his views on others like both sides seem to do when you see the extremes. he seems like a moderate conservative. WHEN will republicans everywhere realize that this is the kind of guy they need running for president!? a LEGIT moderate conservative (like Regan was) is what the party needs right now. especially if they want to have a prayer against Obama. anyone who doesn't see that is so far right they might as well pack their bags and start a militia in mountains and wait for the "commies" to come get 'em.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    sorry Oly80..but your labels have no meaning...
    February 14, 2012 6:46 am
    now everyone has their own custom definitions to fit their agenda. What one may call a moderate, another will call an extremist.

    The militant homosexual mob tell us that definitions evolve and we can't cling to traditional meanings. Marriage no longer means what it used to mean. Neither do the words racist, liberal, hate, fear, right winger, extreme or moderate. They can mean whatever you want them to mean.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    nope.
    February 14, 2012 7:57 am
    i'll define moderate the way the supreme court defines pornography, i'll know one when i see it. intelligent, level-minded people can tell the difference.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    well, as soon as you find an intelligent level-minded moderate liberal
    February 14, 2012 8:22 am
    let me know...I'll be the judge of that.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    will do.
    February 14, 2012 9:47 am
    although, i'm pretty sure by your response that you would just insult them and show how moderate, intelligent people are treated by the people who exist on the extremes of either side. as i alluded to, i identify as a moderate liberal. AND, before you start insulting me for that, please keep in mind that i was mentioning how i agree with this guy.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Paul K
    February 14, 2012 2:07 pm
    How about your definition of a moderate liberal or GoPer
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Paul Kersey
    February 14, 2012 9:43 am
    Yeah I remember the militant Segregationists mob complain when the rules were changed to give Blacks a better life. I mean living in the South just isn't like it used to be is it?I mean that "tradition" of not offering Blacks an equal chance was taken away.Living in the South no longer means what it used to mean.Your a IDIOT and we BOTH know what that means Right?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    huh??? militant segregationists?.....
    February 14, 2012 10:08 am
    I've never personally known any, but I've read some of the stuff they've preached and written. In fact, the current President knows all about them. He hung around with many of them in Chicago and they helped him get to the White House. He even attended a militant segregationist church for twenty years. His pal Calypso Louie is one too.

    But what does that have to do with sodomy?

    btw... If you are going to call someone an idiot, at least spell it correctly. It should be "you're an idiot", not "your an IDIOT". Gawd, that's irritating.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Paul K
    February 14, 2012 12:49 pm
    I would hope anyone elected to the highest office has hung around with many types of people because he will be representing EVERYONE. Also it seems that Obama listened to what they said thought about and made his own decision about segregation.He also lived in a Muslim country so he has some insight into how they view things also.Thats called Experiance Sonny
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    @ Paul Kersey
    February 14, 2012 3:44 pm
    Actually, messiah101 said: "Your a IDIOT...."

    Not: "your an IDIOT..."

    You gave him way too much credit for his actual statement..... ;-)

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    sure enough soo...
    February 15, 2012 4:55 am
    good catch...and I do give it too much credit. I can just picture the fool turning purple with rage and pounding on it's keyboard while screaming...."Your a IDIOT". Can you imagine what it's mother has to put up with when she asks it to clean it's room?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Oly80
    February 14, 2012 9:37 am
    Reread what he said about Unions.He obviously wants to BUST them, he calls them "very corrosive".He is a Right to Work guy.Currently Washington State is considered among the BEST States in the USA for a company to do business. We earn on average about $15,000 MORE per year then S Carolina (a RTW State)and we have a higher employment rate
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    it sounds like he's talking about teacher's unions...
    February 14, 2012 10:32 am
    when he mentions performance-based rewards and paying less attention to seniority. some of it makes sense. much of it will not change at all because the people won't vote for it. at least HE said he'll uphold the people's choices.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Oly80
    February 14, 2012 12:51 pm
    Could be but seniority is important in any union as it prevents employees making at the top of the pay scale to be dropped for lower paid junior workers
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Whidbeyboy wrote...
    What about basic rights?
    February 14, 2012 8:37 am
    Maybe we should put all our basic rights up for a vote and have the majority tell us what you deserve. Maybe we should take a vote again on civil right? My issue is that it is a religious issue with the people who oppose this, and how can we use one's beliefs to guide our laws? I don't care if the majority dosen't want it, it is a typical case of a basic human right and that is what the courts found based on reason, not religion. And I'm not a democrate, just someone who looks at each issue from a independant viewpoint, not a right or left issue, like so many lemmens do in this country.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    Sodomy has never been a basic right...
    February 14, 2012 8:43 am
    in fact it was looked upon as a violation of natural law by the Founders.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Paul K
    February 14, 2012 9:46 am
    The "Founders" also thought a Black man was worth only 3/5 of a White man.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kiddenme wrote...
    unless its healthcare of course...
    February 14, 2012 12:42 pm
    .
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    Be-aware! Union workers, wont support him if...
    February 15, 2012 4:03 am
    he intends to make WA a right to work state like SC or if he is going to attack teachers pay to make up for irresponsible state spending. This guy is very, very dangerous.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cdbtx wrote...
    The difference between McKenna
    February 14, 2012 5:32 am
    and Gregoire or Inslee is summed up in a single sentence.

    Once the vote has been taken, my views are set aside. I'm all about enforcing the will of the voters and upholding that law."

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • FormerMarineSgt wrote...
    The difference between McKenna nad Gregoire....
    February 14, 2012 7:58 am
    "Once the vote has been taken, my views are set aside. I'm all about enforcing the will of the voters and upholding that law."----------------- Not true dude. The Constitution is the driving force here, not 'public opinion via a public vote'. Marriage is a right. Therefore seperate but equal and seperate but unequal solutions to prevent gay 'marriage' are unconstitutional. Putting this to a vote is giving the finger to the Constitution. Therefore - McKenna is advocating violating the Constitution while he 'says' he is upholding the law - he's lying. You cannot violate the Constitution and say you are 'upholding the law'.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    cdbtx
    February 14, 2012 9:49 am
    So you believe that EVERY issue should be up for vote? If not where do you draw the line?The voters actually voted for Obama care when they voted for Obama yet the GOP blocks it and threatens to repel it if they get the power
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    Well all that is fine and dandy
    February 14, 2012 5:50 am
    As long as the what they spout is actually what they will do. How many politicians promise something that they never come close to doing. Every politician is for the voter until they get voted in and then it's on to helpling the lobbyist as usual.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DesertRez wrote...
    Nice
    February 14, 2012 6:06 am
    Sounds like a man with integrety and a large dose of common sense.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kvnbeach wrote...
    McKenna for Pres.
    February 14, 2012 6:45 am
    Here, here, Oly80. The republican pres. hopefulls are all a bunch of losers. Yes i am a Republican. I cant vote for Romney cause he is a Mormon and a 1%. I cant vote for Santorum to conservative, will not vote for Paul cause he will screw up America. All my ultra Liberal stoner friends like him, enough said, the sick thing is Gingrich is the best of 'em all. Excuse me, I just trew up in my mouth. We get mcKenna in charge of Wa. next the White House.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    kvnbeach
    February 14, 2012 9:53 am
    If your stoner friends like Paul for POTUS they certainly are not LIBERALS by any stretch of imagination.They may agree with Paul on drugs and National defense but little else if they are true Libs
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    Come on McKenna
    February 14, 2012 6:48 am
    I plan on voting for you. As a logical pragmatist you must realize that the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit will overturn any vote denying equal marriage rights for gays. Why waste the money? Quite pandering to the barnyard butter-horns in your party. Be a man and lead all Washingtonians.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    ""They've rejected an income tax. They've rejected increases in Seattle to license tabs. People are hurting out there, and with an overall unemployment rate last summer of 18 percent you can understand why," McKenna says. Voters are trying to live within
    February 14, 2012 6:52 am
    Thank you Mr McKenna, finally someone whom understands....what a difference it would be for one party not to have total control.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    mnpat
    February 14, 2012 9:58 am
    Does McKenna forget that he is running for Gov of Washington? Where on earth did he get that 18% number?Washington State numbers were NEVER that high.The Dems have made Washington State a Business Friendly place to do business without selling out the workers of our State with a Right to Work philosophy that McKenna seems to be spouting.Before replying check Forbes Magazines ratings of business friendly States
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    So McKenna is trying to set himself up for the independant vote with this statement.
    February 14, 2012 7:11 am
    This shocked me to the core when I first saw this headline. Our next Governor. And him saying that he is Catholic as well. I don't like it but we have to get this state back into the Red. Back into Americans hands. Even if somehow we cannot overturn the political desire of the Liberals and the militant Homosexual agenda with this referendum. We must return our state and our nation to us Americans this November.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Whidbeyboy wrote...
    Hey ha ha
    February 14, 2012 8:47 am
    "militant Homosexual agenda " your constant attack on Gays has convinced me that your a closet queen, like so many republicans who oppose anything about Gay rights. And your typical being red is being American is the usual divisive dribble we hear from the right wing wackos who hate anything not in the heartland, where most of thier support lies. But I have news for you and them, the heartland red states are a lot more liberal then you think.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Back in the 1960's, right here in Seattle, "The People" ratified housing discrimination!
    February 14, 2012 7:11 am
    Not often mentioned in the history of what is supposed to be one of the more liberal cities in the US is a shameful ballot that passed in the early 1960's. Pretty much on the eve of the national civil rights movement.

    The voters of Seattle confirmed their "traditional values". They expressed an opinion at the polls that it was perfectly alright for realtors to refuse to show homes in "white neighborhoods" to non-white home buyers. We stood proudly behind our opinion, preserving the right to tell people, "Sorry, but I won't do business with you or accept even a full price cash offer for my house because you ain't white enough for this neighborhood! Everybody knows that if you people start moving in here all the property values will go down."

    Maybe McKenna has studied the history of Seattle politics. One leader of the "traditional values" campaign to endorse housing discrimination was Dorm Braman. He turned out enough outraged, hateful voters that he was also elected Mayor of Seattle on the same ballot.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DesertRez wrote...
    Chuck I see where you are going here
    February 14, 2012 7:24 am
    In a constitutional republic the majority cannot vote away the rights of the minority. Thus you see the gay rights groups trying to portray being gay as natural so that they can latch onto the civil rights movements of the past. Those of us that believe being gay is a choice, unlike being born black, think this is not the case. So yes, the voters should have been struck down in the courts in the 1960's, but not in this instance.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    DesertRez....but if marriage is a "legal right", subject to regulation by the state
    February 14, 2012 7:47 am
    how can that right be denied various citizens, unless they have lost their civil rights by committing a felony?

    If being gay is a decision, tell us about the day you "decided" that you would be straight.

    The correct solution is expressed in the recently passed state law. In Washington state, the legal definition of marriage is essentially a property contract between two adults of legal age. Period.

    Those who want a different definition, based on religious belief, should join churches or other religious organizations where the preachers or priests interpret the Bible in a way that declares either that some people are not born with homosexual proclivities, or that God makes mistakes. Those churches are free to refuse to marry homosexuals. I would be among those defending the rights of those particular churches to refuse.

    But we're talking civil rights with marriage *because* there are all sorts of things in the law that grant legal rights and privileges to people who are married. Most of them are tax, property, and estate related. Religion has nothing to do with the law, except in this country the law protects our freedom of religion.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Whidbeyboy wrote...
    DesertRez
    February 14, 2012 8:48 am
    But we are not basing this non your belief, that is the heart of the problem. The facts have already been made that it is not a choice, no matter how much you want to believe otherwise, just like evolution. It's sad that some are so intent on keeping a book written before science was coming of age as thier only source of information, and any proof otherwise is ignored. It is irrational and just plain mind boggling to me. If the bible stated the earth was flat, would it be to you?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • anotherfencewalker wrote...
    Out of the closet...
    February 14, 2012 7:12 am
    When it gets to be campaign season, those running, like Mckenna and others vote the party line and most often not their inner voice. We all know that the red party has had a he11 of a time establishing a "party line" since 2008 and in particular the last year. The gay marriage debate is a fast track way to show voters the so-called party loyalty.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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