Washington state governor’s race by the numbers

There are 36 gubernatorial candidates in the August primary for Washington state. You might already know who you’re voting for in the governor’s race, but picking out key words in each candidate’s statement in the local voter’s pamphlet offers a little insight not only into what they deem the most significant issues in Washington state, but gives us a glimpse at what we’re all faced with as a society.

Here’s a breakdown of some of those key words:

Of all 36 candidates, 12 mentioned “coronavirus, pandemic, or virus” in reference to the coronavirus pandemic that has us all in phases of a lockdown. Those candidates were: Phil Fortunato, Ryan Ryals, Henry Clay Dennison, Goodspaceguy, Don L. Rovers, Raul Garcia, William Bill Miller, Cairo D’Almeida, Nate Herzog, Jay Inslee, Loren Culp, and Joshua Freed.

Four of the candidates mentioned “social justice or racism,” issues pushed to the forefront since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25. Those candidates are: Henry Clay Dennison, Omari Tahir-Garrett, Tylor Grow, and Cairo D’Almeida. Don L. Rivers mentioned that he’s prepared to work with “all ethnic backgrounds” based on his experience.

Six of the candidates mentioned “homelessness or homeless” in their statements, an issue that Seattle and many cities have prioritized for at least a decade. Those candidates are: Joshua Freed, Tim Eyman, Omari Tahir-Garrett, Tylor Grow, Richard L. Carpenter, Loren Culp, and Cairo D’Almeida.

Two candidates mentioned “sex education,” a controversial topic after the state adopted a new sex ed curriculum to be taught in schools. Those candidates are Tim Eyman and Phil Fortunato. They both are against the new curriculum.

Three candidates mentioned “climate or natural resources.” Those candidates are: Liz Hallock, Loren Culp, and Joshua Wolf. However, Thor Amundson said he’s “backed by 100% Orca.” Bill Hirt used his entire space in the pamphlet to try to debunk the “myth” that fossil fuel emissions are a threat.

Of the 36 candidates, 10 mentioned “taxes.” However, most discussed or at least mentioned the economy as a priority. The candidates who mentioned taxes were: Joshua Freed, Tim Eyman, Don L. Rivers, Raul Garcia, Tylor Grow, Winston Wilkes, Richard L. Carpenter, Loren Culp, Gene Hart, David W. Blomstrom, and Cairo D’Almeida.

One candidate — Ian Gonzales — mentioned I-1639, which changed state’s gun laws, especially concerning semi-automatic rifles. Gonzales and Eyman both mentioned $30 car tabs in their statements.

Two candidates said they were born outside of the United States: Raul Garcia in Cuba, and Anton Sakharov in the Soviet Union.

The youngest gubernatorial candidate is Dylan B. Nails, who was 20 years old at the time he wrote his statement. Nails is enrolled at Northwest Nazarene University where he’s studying Secondary Education with an emphasis in History.

Three candidates did not submit any information and two — Matthew Murray and David Voltz — submitted the bare minimum. Loren Culp said the Secretary of State’s office omitted his statement blaming a technical error with servers, according to KING 5. Emails were exchanged, but some counties that print pamphlets did not have Culp’s full statement.

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