July 26, 2006

Lynne Dodson, teacher and candidate for the open State Representative seat in Seattle’s 43rd Legislative District, today condemned the decision of the majority of the Washington State Supreme Court to uphold the Defense of Marriage Act.

“As Joe Hill, the renowned union organizer, said, ‘Don’t mourn – organize!’” said Lynne Dodson. “It’s up to us to make sure the State Legislature enacts full marriage equality. As the next State Representative from the 43rd District, I’ll join Ed Murray in fighting and organizing for full marriage equality legislation.”

“Come September 20th, I will work hard to help educate voters in the 43rd Legislative District and around the state about the importance of judicial elections to help ensure that we elect fair and impartial State Supreme Court Justices. I will use my coalition building skills in the community and in the legislature to continue the fight for same sex marriage and other key civil rights issues.”

During Dodson’s tenure as a statewide officer of the American Federation of Teachers Washington, her union was among the first to sign onto a friend-of-the-court brief in the Andersen/ Castle marriage equality case before the state supreme court.

Dodson has received an endorsement and the highest rating of SEAMEC, and is solely endorsed by Washington State Labor Council, Washington Education Association, National Women’s Political Caucus of Washington, Washington State Council of Firefighters and Washington Nurses Association. A complete list of endorsements can be found at www.LynneToWin.org.