Convention names endorsed statewide slate and recommends judge for Supreme Court

The convention called the vote to order and the credentials chair reported the committee had tallied endorsement ballots for statewide offices. The chair announced the endorsed statewide slate with reported vote percentages: Raul Garcia for U.S. Senate (73%), Semi Byrd for governor (72%), Matt Hawkins for auditor (nearly 100%), Dale Whitaker for secretary of state (64%), Pete Serrano for attorney general (effectively 100%), Sue Keel Peterson for commissioner of public lands (86%) and David Olson for superintendent of public instruction (57%).

A motion by Tim Kinley of Spokane County asked the convention to adopt the slate by acclamation to show unity behind the endorsed candidates. Delegates debated the motion, with speakers arguing both for party unity and against portraying the outcome as unanimous where contests remained unsettled in some counties. After a call of the question the chair put the motion and declared it carried by voice vote: “The ayes have it.” (The credentials report and chair’s announcements provided the percentages; no formal numerical roll-call tally was recorded on the floor transcript.)

Separately, delegates addressed the judicial race differently at the candidate’s request. Chris Ferguson of Kitsap County moved that the convention recommend Judge Dave Larson for the Washington State Supreme Court rather than endorse him outright, citing judicial‑ethics considerations. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; the chair said the recommendation looked unanimous on the floor.

Tellers continued counting ballots for the national‑delegate and at‑large elector contests while the convention moved on to consider the platform and resolutions. The chair noted that the party typically supports endorsed candidates with fundraising (but does not normally cut direct checks) and that county parties are not bound by state convention actions.

The platform and resolutions work began immediately after these votes; the convention set procedures for how delegates could reserve sections of the platform for amendment and how to file written amendments.