Yet Another Round For The Ongoing Democratic Process!

Above: While Republican US Senatorial candidate Dino Rossi (right) looks on, 7th District US Congressman Jim McDermott (left) assures the audience that the nation's government is really listening to concerns by small business. Photo copyright 2010 by Mizu Sugimura.

Tonight's election is almost history as snapshots such as these taken a few weeks ago of several local Congressmen, state legislators and candidates who spent hours doorbelling, rousing the faithful and just meeting voters in the communities where they live. This forum was sponsored by the Korean American Coalition who held a candidate forum in Federal Way, WA last month. Having attended something similar in the same community a few years back I for one, was quite pleased as were event organizers both to see such progress and enjoy the presence of such a blue ribbon selection of politicans and political hopefuls from several political parties.

Above: The race to determine Federal Way's first elected mayor drew candidates Jim Ferrell (left) and Skip Priest (right). Ferrell is currently a member of the FW City Council. Priest, a former FW City Councilman and former (appointed) Mayor, earlier vacated his seat in the Washington State legislature to enter the elected mayor's contest. Copyright 2010 by Mizu Sugimura.

Congressman McDermott was not the only member of the US House of Representatives who took advantage of this networking opportunity. Other's included the Washington's Ninth District's Adam Smith (above) and First District Congressman Jay Inslee. In addition, Mike Honda, a member of Congress from California's Silicon Valley Fifteenth District, and former resident of a US wartime internment camp in Colorado during World War II, made a special appearance. Copyright 2010 by Mizu Sugimura.

Above: And finally no voter's convention or candidate forum in any community could possibly be complete without those few precious moments devoted to introductions, picture taking, a shake the hand, exchange of cards or all-purpose networking. Copyright 2010 by Mizu Sugimura.