Auburn Reporter

In a curtained-off corner on the second floor of the Truitt Building in downtown Auburn on election evening, state senate candidate Joe Fain was doing his best to remain calm at one of the most important moments of his life, making small talk with staff and family, standing for photographs with his fiancée, Steffanie Moxon.

Voters in the 47th Legislative District have the opportunity to vote for better candidates than the incumbents in two races. The Times editorial board recommends challenger Joe Fain for state Senate; challenger Mark Hargrove in Position 1 and incumbent Rep. Pat Sullivan for Position 2.

Tuesday's primary was rather pedestrian given the breathless political talk nationally. The common story line of woe for those in office and a challenger revolt fueled by frustration, anger and fresh blood ran into political reality in the Evergreen State.

The first round of election numbers were posted by the King County Elections Tuesday, Aug. 17, showing Republican challenger Joe Fain leading Sen. Claudia Kauffman in the 47th District. 47th District

The Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted to approve the following endorsements:

Endorsed Highly Qualified

• Pam Roach – 31st Legislative District, Senate

• Christopher Hurst – 31st Legislative District, House Position 2

• Joe Fain – 47th Legislative District, Senate

• Pat Sullivan – 47th Legislative District, House Position 2

Up against their main GOP challengers in the primary, Miloscia outpolled Shawn Sullivan, Hurst led Patrick Reed, and Kilmer was ahead of Marty McClendon. But Kauffman trailed far behind GOP challenger Joe Fain.

Seattle, WA— The nonpartisan Municipal League of King County rated 47th District State Senate Candidate, Joe Fain, as one of the few ‘Outstanding’ candidates up for election in 2010. "I am honored to be rated so highly by the Independent Municipal League," said Fain. "I have worked hard to understand how government works and to be an effective voice in promoting positive change." Fain has been very active in South County community service organizations, and led the successful initiative campaign to reform King County government in 2008. Fain has also served South King County for the last six years as staff to King County Council District 7.

Joe Fain, who is running for Kauffman’s seat, has served as chief of staff for King County Councilman Pete von Reichbauer. Fain said Democrats like Kauffman would be held accountable for their budget votes. “If you’re voting yes on spending that requires new taxes, and then say, ‘But I voted no on taxes,’ that doesn’t pass the sniff test,” he said.

This is the 29-year-old Fain’s first jump into the political pool, but he is very familiar with the workings of government. The Auburn resident is the chief of staff for King County Councilman Pete von Reichbauer. Fain said he believes the “state government is on the wrong trajectory. A lot of things could have been done differently.”

Fain pointed to the projected $2.6 billion state budget deficit as evidence of the problems in state government.

Fain wrote in a press release, “We need to encourage job growth, not punish businesses for investing in new employees.”

"We live in the region that pioneered aeronautics and the personal computing revolution," said Fain, 29. "With strong leadership in Olympia and a renewed focus on economic growth and education, we can bring jobs back to south King County. The economic crisis has hurt everyone, but raising taxes and cutting education funding makes this crisis worse.

“We live in the region that pioneered aeronautics and the personal computing revolution. With strong leadership in Olympia and a renewed focus on economic growth and education, we can bring jobs back to South King County,” declared Fain. “The economic crisis has hurt everyone but raising taxes and cutting education funding makes this crisis worse.”

There is also a low-key but persistent rumor that well-regarded county legislative staff member Joe Fain may run for the District 47 Senate seat currently held by Claudia Kaufman (D-Kent). Fain is a moderate Republican who has been active in school issues in Kent, Auburn and Federal Way. He also serves on civic boards including Auburn Youth Resources.