Secretary of state Reed announces re-election bid

Secretary to visit with Moses Lake Rotary

BELLEVUE, Wash. - Secretary of State Sam Reed announced his candidacy for re-election.

Reed is slated to visit with the Moses Lake Rotary and the Columbia Basin Herald editorial board on Wednesday.

For the next term, from 2009 to 2012, Reed pledges to bring a new level of transparency to state government, deliver more personal election information to voters, and provide the people of Washington with better access to Washington's unique history and heritage than ever before, according to a spokesperson.

"We have more work to do - to restore our faith in democracy, to renew trust in government, and to preserve our history. In the next four years I vow to inform and empower the people of Washington," stated Reed.

Among Reed's long-term goals for Washington, is the State's Heritage Center which will house Washingtons critical records and history under one roof.

Reed stated he will continue to fight for fair and accurate elections, and continue his commitment to protect voter rights.

"When I was a state Senator, Sam worked very closely with me to pass critical campaign reform," said King County Councilmember Julia Patterson. "These reforms are now law in-part because of his good work."

State Attorney General Rob McKenna issued a statement on Reed's behalf.

"Sam is an outstanding secretary of state. He has increased voter confidence in our election system by creating the first-ever statewide voter database and by removing hundreds of thousands of invalid registrations. As a Washington voter and as attorney general, I'm delighted Sam is seeking another term," McKenna stated.

Reed is currently serving his second term as secretary of state. In his first two terms, Reed championed the most extensive election reform in 150 years, developed the first digital archives of its kind in the country, and saved the Washington State Library from closing its doors, according to a spokesperson.

Prior to assuming duties as secretary, Reed served five terms as Thurston County Auditor from 1978 to 2000. Reed received more than ten national and state awards for innovations in voter outreach.