I wouldn't even have known that Larry Ishmael was running for Congress against U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee, if it hadn't been for The Rev. Dr. Joseph Fuiten's e-mail.

(I'm on the Frankly Fuiten ListServ: "Framing Today's Issues for Contemporary Biblical Christians.")

And Fuiten is endorsing Ishmael in his bid for the 1st Congressional District seat that Inslee has held for 10 years. The First is mostly Kitsap and Snohomish counties.

Here is Ishmael's Web site.

And he is Fuiten's endorsement:

Dear Friends,

Many of you have told me that you appreciate my pastorspicks.com and other political perspectives that I periodically offer. With that in mind, I would like to introduce you to one of my friends who reflects a refreshing Christian change to our 1st Congressional District in WA State. He is an intelligent and articulate person well qualified to be in Congress. I also see him frequently in church along with his wife.

Larry Ishmael is running for Congress against Jay Inslee, the 10 year incumbent Democrat. You may get the full scoop about Larry at his website at www.larryishmael.com.

A quick bio on Larry:

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He's been married over 33 years to Susan and has three grown sons. He has an MBA in International Business and speaks three languages fluently. He has extensive overseas business experience and he has lived on four continents while personally traveling to over 125 countries.

Locally, he was the past Board Chair of the Issaquah School District, was a former Board member of a previous church, and is currently Chairman of the Board of the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce, where his business is located.

Larry was recently recognized as one of the most prominent environmentalists in the world for literally 'cleaning up the globe.'

Larry and his consulting business were recognized by the Mayor of São Paulo, Brazil, His Excellency Gilberto Kassab, as being "the architect of the largest Clean Air Project in the world." São Paulo, the world's 2nd largest city with over 19 million inhabitants, had the most polluted air of any city on earth. Larry worked with his local partner and the City of São Paulo to establish a series of vehicle emissions stations throughout the metro area. With the latest in technology design they are in the process of reducing pollution in the City by 40% in 2008.

While Larry's opponent talks about being green and cleaning up the planet, Larry is actually doing it! In fact, he is doing it on a global scale as he has done similar projects in Mexico City, Mexico, and Santiago, Chile.

I can say so much more about my friend, but I'll keep it short and encourage you to learn more about Larry by going to his web site, www.larryishmael.com.

While you're browsing the site and considering Larry's qualifications and accomplishments, and strong Christian values, please ask yourself what it's worth to you to have a highly qualified conservative Christian man in congress.

I can tell you this, that support is critical, and Larry needs our collective support!!! Volunteer and financial support is essential to a winning campaign!

You can visit his website to find out how to contribute online, through the mail, or even call the campaign for further information. Click here to volunteer for Larry.

Your contribution of $25, $100 or the maximum of $2300 is essential. You may even consider giving monthly contributions to maximize your support. I think it would be wonderful if everyone who gets my emails would give something right away.

A congressional campaign takes a minimum of $1 million to be competitive. Why so much you ask, it's mostly in the requirement of TV advertising to acquire the essential name identification. TV ads in the Seattle area very expensive and will require a minimum of $800,000.

Your support today, could make the difference between electing someone like Larry Ishmael, who represents authentic change, or electing someone rated more liberal than Jim McDermott of Seattle. Without a doubt, Larry Ishmael is the change we need and we can trust!

Please go to Larry's web site and sign up to volunteer, put a sign in your yard and make that essential financial contribution.

Remember, together we can make a difference and Larry's one guy I want us to get behind to bring the right kind of change to the other Washington.

Thanks again and keep up the good work.

Sincerely,

Pastor Joe