September 15, 2011 – U.S. Congressional candidate and current State Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, announced endorsements from State Sen. Debbie Regala, D-Tacoma, and former State Sen. Erik Poulsen, D-West Seattle.

"Steve has been an outspoken advocate for children and a strong ally as we struggled, during the hardest financial challenges we've ever faced, to protect the funding for programs like Apple Health for kids and home visiting programs which have proven positive results for children and families," said State Senator Debbie Regala, D-Tacoma, vice chair of the Human Services and Correction Committee. "Steve has demonstrated the kind of leadership we need in Washington, D.C."

"Senator Steve Hobbs has proven to be an outstanding leader on energy issues in the state Legislature. He has introduced and passed a number of extremely important bills to incentivize green power and protect our environment," said Erik Poulsen, who now works for the Washington Public Utility Districts Association after serving West Seattle in the Legislature for over 12 years. "I can envision no one better than my former colleague Steve Hobbs to take up the mantle of advancing America's energy future in the U.S. Congress."

Poulsen is the former chairman of committees on energy, environmental and technology issues in both the state Senate and House. Prior to leaving office in 2007, he was named Legislator of the Year by Washington Conservation Voters, the state's largest environmental organization. He also won the Northwest Energy Coalition's Conservation Eagle Award, its highest honor. Jay Inslee has also received this same award.

To learn more about Steve Hobbs’ campaign for U.S. Congress, please visit www.HobbsForCongress.com.