Democratic state Senators Rodney Tom (48th Legislative District) and Tim Sheldon (35th Legislative District) sold out the voters of Washington for their own political power (by joining with Republicans to announce the takeover of the state Senate governance structure). These two long-time politicians placed their own ambition and ego above the voters’ choices. They are clearly more interested in being the leader and president pro temper than working toward solutions for the people of Washington.

Tom and Sheldon’s naked power grab thwarts the will of the voters by turning the Senate over to an unprecedented Gridlock Caucus.

Rodney Tom must think he knows better than the tens of thousands of voters who voted for progressive ideals in the district he is supposed to represent. His political power grab is particularly egregious coming from the 48th Legislative District. Democrats Ross Hunter and Cyrus Habib won an average of 65 percent of the vote in the District last month. In addition, progressive candidates like Barack Obama, Jay Inslee, Maria Cantwell, Bob Ferguson and others won easily won across the board.

In RodneyWorld, the only thing you can count on is that Rodney Tom will do whatever it takes to find power and attention. He clearly relished the spotlight and attention at the press conference this morning. Let there be no doubt he will switch sides again and betray the other half the legislature if he sees a personal advantage in doing so.

It’s clear that this Gridlock Caucus is more interested in blocking legislation than achieving progress in Olympia. The Gridlock Caucus will ensure that our state cannot adequately fund education and will fail to meet its constitutional responsibility to our kids.

Aaron Ostrom, executive director of Fuse Washington