Withdrawn democratic candidate endorses GOP opponent for Pierce County Council

(The Center Square) – Danny Hankins, a recently withdrawn Democratic candidate for the Pierce County Council District 6 race, is endorsing Republican Candidate Loujanna “LJ” Rohrer for the seat.

Hankins said he is endorsing Rohrer over the incumbent Pierce County Councilmember Jani Hitchen for her work ethic, compassion, and policy experience.

“You deserve a public servant who values you, listens to you, acknowledges the problems we are facing, and holds themselves accountable,” Hankins said in an endorsement letter on Oct. 19. “That is why I, a liberal democrat, am reaching out to you now on behalf of Republican candidate LJ Rohrer.”

Hankins collected 11.5% of votes from the 2024 August Primary Election. He lost to Hitchen, who received 41.7% of tallied votes.

Rohrer led all candidates with 46.8% of votes.

Rohrer, a senior legislative assistant for the State House of Representatives, said she was grateful for the endorsement from Hankins.

“Danny and I are committed to ‘Fix the Six,’” Rohrer said in a social media post.

Rohrer’s campaign has focused on efficiently using Pierce County tax dollars. The Center Square previously reported on the top concern Rohrer is hearing from her constituents, which is the increasing cost of living, especially housing costs.

Rohrer has previously said she wants to look at where spending is being made as Pierce County revenues continue to increase and figure out what residents are prioritizing for where generated revenue goes.

General fund revenues for Pierce County increased 2.5% from $875 million in the 2022-2023 budget to $896.7 million in the 2024-2025 budget.

“Things in Pierce County have gotten to the point where it’s time for a new approach, and I believe LJ is our best bet,” Hankins wrote. “That is why now, next to my Bob Ferguson sign, I’m proud to have an LJ Rohrer sign.”

In Hankins’ endorsement letter, he said that Hitchen told him that the only reason he received votes was because he was a man, he had favorable placement in the voter pamphlet, and voters are uninformed.

“This is wrong – we need councilmembers who believe in and listen to the people of Pierce County, no matter their gender, race, age, sex or status,” Rohrer added. “I will be that candidate.”

The Center Square reached out to Hitchen’s campaign for comment, but did not receive a response at the time of this publication.