Pierce County Auditor Pat McCarthy’s bid to become the next county executive got a boost today when the Master Builders Association endorsed her over three rival candidates.

MBA President Duke York cited McCarthy’s “experience, accomplishments and administrative abilities.”

“Pierce County needs an executive who will ensure efficient, responsive and responsible performance from regulatory departments while continuing to improve Pierce County’s economic outlook,” York said in a statement.

McCarthy could not be reached for comment.

The association represents more than 1,050 local builders employing more than 10,000 people. It has played a high-profile role on county issues ranging from growth management to building permit backlogs.

The endorsement could help McCarthy, who’s serving her second term as auditor, raise money for a competitive campaign.

State records show she has raised about $51,000 through May. That’s far behind fellow executive candidates Shawn Bunney ($224,000) and Calvin Goings ($201,000), though ahead of Mike Lonergan ($29,000).

Despite the Master Builders’ endorsement of McCarthy, campaign records show Bunney, a Republican county councilman from Lake Tapps, is a favorite of many in the building industry. His contributors include employees of such companies as developer Investco, LeRoy Surveyors & Engineers and Miles Sand & Gravel.

“I feel very comfortable from the support I’ve gotten from the building community and look forward to working with then in the future,” Bunney said Thursday.

Goings, a Democratic county councilman from Puyallup, also has received the support of some builders because of his pledge to fire managers and reorganize departments to address building permit backlogs and other problems. He received the endorsement of the Tacoma-Pierce County Association of Realtors, another key business group.

“I’ve been an outspoken advocate for preserving the quality of life in Pierce County and combatting sprawl,” Goings said. He added that the MBA wants to preserve the status quo, while he would take the county in a new direction.

Goings, like the rest of the candidates, interviewed with MBA leaders during the organization’s endorsement process.

Lonergan, a Tacoma city councilman, said he’s heard from many supporters in the building and real estate industries. But he said his lack of fundraising has hurt him when it comes to endorsements.

“I think there’s an element of this that’s like a horse race,” Lonergan said. “People are looking at the odds and trying to look at who looks like a winner.”

Lonergan said he plans to begin campaigning in earnest in July.

Here's the press release:

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MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION ENDORSES PAT MCCARTHY FOR PIERCE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

The Board of Directors of the Master Builders Association of Pierce County has voted to endorse Pat McCarthy for Pierce County Executive.

“After interviewing all of the Pierce County Executive candidates, the MBA felt that Ms. McCarthy’s experience, accomplishments, and administrative abilities brought her to the top of the list,” stated MBA President Duke York. “Pierce County needs an Executive who will ensure efficient, responsive and responsible performance from regulatory departments while continuing to improve Pierce County’s economic outlook.”

The Master Builders Association of Pierce County (MBA) is a non-profit trade association comprised of more than 1050 builder and associate member companies employing over 10,000 people in Pierce County. The MBA's purpose is to promote through membership involvement, legislative action, networking and education, the opportunity for affordable housing to all while striving to maintain the highest ethical standards.