Fuse, the liberal advocacy group, released a list of early endorsements today to help liberal candidates in tough races.

"They are the closest races with the clearest choices—high stakes contests where the future of our state is on the line," the Fuse release proclaims.

Of the 11 endorsements, most are for liberal Democratic incumbents in swing turf, where the GOP is out for blood. Fuse, for example, endorses state Reps. Geoff Simpson (D-47, Southeast King County from Renton to Kiss Song) and Tami Green (D-28, W. Tacoma, University Place, Lakewood) and state Sens. Claudia Kauffman (D-47) and Randy Gordon (D-41, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Newcastle, Issaquah and Renton) all of whom are locked in tough face offs with Republican challengers.

Fuse also endorsed a couple of Democrats over Democrats.



For example, they endorsed Lillian Kaufer, a paralegal and foster child advocate, against conservative incumbent state Sen. Steve Hobbs (D-44, Snohomish), a leader of the moderate Democratic "Road Kill" caucus. The Washington State Labor Council also endorsed Kaufer over Hobbs.

Curiously, though, Fuse also endorsed Joe Fitzgibbon in the scrum among three progressive Democrats in the 34th District. It's not that Fitzgibbon—a wonky Burien land commissioner and former aide to standout state Rep. Sharon Nelson (D-34)—isn't a legitimate endorsement, but throwing its weight behind Fitzgibbon in a safe Democratic district is notable.

Asked to explain, Fuse spokesman Collin Jergens told us:

"In a district like the 34th, the primary is usually just as important, or even more important, than the general election, and that's why we wanted to weigh in early."

Specifically regarding Fitzgibbon, Jergens said: "Joe is the strongest progressive candidate in the 34th. He has been an outspoken advocate, especially on environmental issues."

Fitzgibbon is running against Marcee Stone , a campaign finance reform activist, and Mike Heavey, an aide to King Count Council Member Jan Drago and a field director for King County Executive Dow Constantine's 2009 campaign.

Here's the full list of Fuse's endorsements, which also include their Washington State Supreme Court picks.

Endorsements



28th Legislative District: Rep. Tami Green

Rep. Tami Green is one of the strongest progressive leaders in the state House and a true champion of working families and environmental conservation. She is also an exceptionally effective legislator, organizing her peers to make sure they work together to protect and improve our quality of life. Outside the legislature, Tami is a registered nurse dedicated to caring for mentally ill adults and children. Keeping Tami’s progressive leadership in the legislature is a top priority for Fuse in 2010.



38th Legislative District: Nick Harper

Fuse endorses Nick Harper in his primary challenge against incumbent Jean Berkey. This is a great opportunity to replace a tired and out-of-touch incumbent with an energetic progressive leader. Harper demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental priorities as the former Snohomish County Conservation Director at Cascade Land Conservancy. In contrast, Berkey is an obstacle to progress who has repeatedly prioritized the interests of banks and insurance companies over the needs of her constituents.



34th Legislative District: Joe Fitzgibbon

Joe Fitzgibbon stands out as the strongest progressive candidate in the crowded 34^th District primary. As the legislative assistant for Rep. Sharon Nelson, a leader of the House’s Blue/Green Alliance, Fitzgibbon played a key role in promoting progressive policies in the House Democratic Caucus. He is also the chair of the Burien Planning Commission and has been an outspoken advocate on local environmental issues. Fitzgibbon’s policymaking background, leadership qualities, political experience, and demonstrated commitment to progressive values make him the best choice for the 34^th District.



State Supreme Court: Stan Rumbaugh

Fuse believes Stan Rumbaugh will bring long-overdue change to the Washington State Supreme Court. Rumbaugh is an experienced Pierce County attorney with a long history of community activism. He serves on the boards of Bates Technical College, the Tacoma Housing Authority, several health care and social service groups, and other local organizations. Rumbaugh will bring a record of balance and independence to the Court, in stark contrast to the incumbent James Johnson. Before his election to the Court, Johnson represented the Building Industry Association of Washington, Tim Eyman, and the Evergreen Freedom Foundation. As a Justice, Johnson has continued to serve his former employers by consistently ruling in favor of big business, land developers, and anti-environmental advocates.



State Supreme Court: Charlie Wiggins

Charlie Wiggins has worked in Washington as both an attorney and judge for more than 30 years. A former judge with Division II of the Court of Appeals, Wiggins frequently sits as a pro-tem judge in Jefferson County. Wiggins has worked to enhance judicial independence by supporting bills to impose contribution limits in Washington judicial elections. Wiggins’ opponent, Justice Richard Sanders, is a social conservative whose time on the court has been marked by political and ethical controversies as well as philosophical opposition to progressive causes.



47th Legislative District: Rep. Geoff Simpson

Fuse endorses Rep. Geoff Simpson because of his tenacious leadership in the progressive community. Simpson chairs the Local Government Committee and is irreplaceable as an advocate for improving transportation choices and managing growth responsibly. He has been a long-time champion for progressive values, particularly the environment and working families. A veteran of the United States Navy, Simpson has been a Kent firefighter and EMT for 20 years and is active in his local school district.



41st Legislative District: Sen. Randy Gordon

Senator Randy Gordon earned an early endorsement from Fuse through his outspoken advocacy for progressive values. Appointed last year to fill Fred Jarrett’s Senate seat, Senator Gordon has quickly established himself as a strong, smart progressive within the Senate Democratic caucus. Prior to joining the legislature, Gordon was a staunch advocate for election integrity and workers’ rights in his legal practice and served as an adjunct professor at Seattle University. In the community, Gordon is active in his local YMCA and is a member of numerous legal and service organizations.



47th Legislative District: Sen. Claudia Kauffman

As a freshman senator in a seat previously held by Republicans for 12 years, Claudia Kauffman has been a courageous leader on progressive issues. She has successfully led the development of a statewide early learning program as the vice chair of the Senate’s Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee. Kauffman works as the charity fund and federal relations liaison for the Muckleshoot Tribe and has been a foster mother for ten children.



44th Legislative District: Lillian Kaufer

Fuse endorses Lillian Kaufer’s primary challenge to conservative Senator Steve Hobbs. Kaufer and her husband Patrick have operated a family business in Snohomish County for more than 15 years. While working with her husband on their business, Lillian also served as a paralegal defending injured workers and volunteered as a guardian for children in foster care. She ran for State Senate in 2006, narrowly losing to Hobbs. Hobbs has established himself as a leader for conservative business interests and a consistent opponent of progress on conservation and working families issues during his first term in office. Fuse endorses Lillian Kaufer because the 44^th District deserves better than Steve Hobbs.



8th Congressional District: Suzan DelBene

A technology entrepreneur and former Microsoft executive, Suzan DelBene has run a strong progressive campaign focused on creating jobs and fostering economic innovation in the district. In addition to her work at Microsoft, DelBene has been active in the local YMCA and at Global Partnerships, a local program supporting international development and microfinance efforts in Latin America. Her opponent, incumbent Dave Reichert, has generally opposed almost everything progressive, including health insurance reform, bank reform, and ending Don't Ask Don't Tell.



U.S. Senate: Patty Murray

Senator Patty Murray is the fourth ranking member of the Senate Leadership and is a trusted progressive leader on a broad range of issues. She is a champion of veterans’ issues and has provided invaluable support for local transportation and infrastructure projects.  She faces conservative two-time loser Dino Rossi, a real estate dealer with a long history of opposing environmental protection, transportation choices, women’s rights, and other progressive causes.

Fuse is the largest network for progressive change in Washington, giving more than 100,000 people a stronger voice in government, online, on the ground, and on the issues that matter most. For more information, visit http://www.fusewashington.org.