Election 2009: I-1033 Loses, R-71 Wins, and Dow Constantine is is the new King County Executive
For an off-year election, we had a lot at stake. Our work of making thousands of phone calls and knocking on thousands of doors paid off, as we came through with key victories.

I-1033 was defeated. This was the first Tim Eyman-sponsored initiative to lose in an off-election year, and his first tax-related initiative to go down to defeat. I-1033 would have been a disaster for long-term care.

R-71, which protects domestic partnership rights for same sex and older Washington couples, was approved. R-71 is about fairness for all Washington working families.
Dow Constantine won his race for King County Executive, defeating conservative Republican Susan Hutchison. Dow has a strong record of advocating for working families and healthcare.
Most 775NW-backed candidates were victorious throughout Washington.
In local races:
- All SEIU-endorsed Seattle city council candidates (Licata, Conlin, O’Brien, Bagshaw) were elected handily.
- All SEIU-endorsed Snohomish County Council candidates (Gossett, Somers, Koster) were re-elected handily.
- SEIU-endorsed Spokane city council candidate Amber Waldref defeated Tim Eyman’s partner in crime Mike Fagan.
- SEIU-endorsed Tacoma mayoral candidate Marilyn Strickland has a slight lead after the first round of vote counting.
- SEIU-endorsed Tacoma city council candidate Keven Rojecki (and Firefighter Union ally) is losing in his race.
- The SEIU-endorsed Seattle Housing Levy is passing easily.