The League of Education Voters Political Action Committee has announced the first round of endorsements for Washington state 2012 Senate and House elections.

Endorsements for candidates vying to represent Kirkland include Dawn McCravey for the 1st District that covers Kirkland’s Finn Hill neighborhood; 45th District Rep. Roger Goodman, who is running for Pos. 1; Cyrus Habib for the 48th District’s Pos. 2; and Rep. Ross Hunter for the 48th District’s Pos. 1.

“This initial list is made up of people with longstanding track records of leadership and positive impact for Washington’s students,” said Frank Ordway, director of Government Relations. “We are proud to support all of them.”

LEV PAC has endorsed 21 Democrats and seven Republicans in both the Senate and House races so far.

“Getting the stable and secure funding that our kids deserve and the constitution demands is going to a take bi-partisan effort,” Ordway added.

LEV PAC plans to announce endorsements throughout the summer. Interviews with candidates are ongoing.

Criteria for a LEV PAC endorsement include alignment with LEV’s values, a track record of accomplishment and community support. Reflecting on the endorsements, Ordway said, “We work on early learning, K-12, higher education, funding and reform. No legislator is going to agree with us all the time. LEV values relationships with people with whom we can work together urgently where we agree and disagree amicably when we don’t.”

Other endorsements include:

Senate

• Rep. Andy Billig (D) 3rd District (Running for Senate)

• Rep. Bruce Dammeier (R) 25th District (Running for Senate)

• Sen. David Frockt (D) 46th District

• Sen. Steve Litzow (R) 41st District

• Sen. Tim Probst (D) 17th District

•  Sen. Kevin Ranker (D) 40th District

House

•  Sylvester Cann (D) 46th District

•  Rep. Reuven Carlyle (D) 36th District

•  Rep. Frank Chopp (D) 43rd District

•  Rep. Cathy Dahlquist (R) 31st District

•  Rep. Laurie Jinkins (D) 37th District

•  Rep. Ruth Kagi (D) 32nd District

•  Rep. Kristine Lytton (D) 40th District

•  Chad Magendanz (R) 5th District

•  Rep. Marcie Maxwell (D) 41st District

•  Tony Moore (R) 30th District

•  Dawn Morrell (D) 25th District

•  Rep. Tina Orwall (D) 33rd District

•  Rep. Jamie Pedersen (D) 43rd District

•  Rep. Eric Pettigrew (D) 37th District

•  Rep. Larry Seaquist (D) 26th District

•  Monica Stonier (D) 17th District

•  Rep. Pat Sullivan (D) 47th District

•  Rep. Maureen Walsh (R) 16th District