Incumbent 21st District Democratic State Rep. Marko Liias faces a challenge from Republican Kevin Morrison, and 32nd District Democratic state Rep. Ruth Kagi faces Republican Robert Reedy in the Nov. 6 general election.
The 21st District includes most of Edmonds, north Lynnwood, all of Mukilteo and part of south Everett.
The 32nd District includes most of Lynnwood, part of Mountlake Terrace, south Edmonds, Woodway, nearby unincorporated areas of southwest Snohomish County, Shoreline and part of northwest Seattle.
Here are statements from the four candidates on campaign issues. I’ll present statements from candidates in other races in future weeks.
21st Legislative District representative, Position 2 —
Marko Liias: “It has been a privilege to serve as your representative for the last four years. Even in the midst of this tough economy, I am proud of what we have accomplished together. We balanced the budget, invested in schools, and created 22,000 jobs with the 2012 Jobs Now Act.
“I have been a leader on critical issues from tackling school bullying to closing our state’s last coal plant. I have been an independent voice on issues that matter to our community, even if it has meant standing up to my own party.
“Our work isn’t done and that is why I am asking for your vote again. We must fully fund our schools, support small businesses and spur job creation. If you send me back to Olympia, I will continue to work hard to find common sense solutions. I ask for your vote.”
Kevin Morrison: “I have a true servant’s heart: My community service has been given from my own fruits of sweat and treasure. It is that servant’s attitude and a sense of duty as a citizen that has driven me to run for this office. See my history of true volunteerism on my website: www.kevin4state.com.
“The ambitious incumbent’s scheme is to spend the citizens’ sweat and treasure in a way that will elevate his political career. He filed last year to run for Congress? He studied to be a politician. After re-districting he chose to return to his safe seat in Olympia. Well that seat is not his. It belongs to the People. Help me take it back.
“The State Budget has doubled in less than 15 years. Incumbent’s party cut education funding, causing regular folks to sue the state, while government is growing. Stop the absurdity. Please give me your vote.”
32nd Legislative District representative, Position 2 —
Ruth Kagi: “Over that past decade, I have championed reforms in drug sentencing, truck safety, child welfare and early learning. As a result, the state has saved millions of dollars due to drug sentencing reform. The roads are safer due to new safety compliance and secure-your-load requirements. And our child-welfare and early-learning services are more effective and accountable.
“My highest priority in the coming session will be funding education. The Legislature needs to increase funding for K-12 education by over $1 billion. I strongly support this and will work on Ways and Means to identify funding for education while assuring that disadvantaged children are arriving at school ready to learn.
“Additional priorities will include legislation requiring gravel trucks to cover their loads, drug treatment for CPS-involved parents, childcare, and strengthening supports for disabled children. I urge constituents to contact me regarding legislative concerns and ideas.”
Robert Reedy: “The main issue in this year’s election will be jobs. The current Legislature’s priorities have been a real problem for working families. People losing their jobs, their businesses failing, their houses in foreclosure, their cars being repossessed, one in six families rely on the food bank on a regular basis, the rest of us taking food off of our own tables to help them. Pensions for state workers in doubt, homeless people living in cars, even in Carkeek Park, yet all our Legislature could do is pass Gay Marriage. How does gay marriage set the dinner table for young working families? Jobs, and a vibrant economy are my ideas of legislative priorities. President Kennedy was right, ‘The rising tide lifts all boats.’
“I support the 2/3rds majority to raise taxes. My opponent, Ruth Kagi, has said “Majority rules.” The 2/3rds requirement is We the People’s lobbyist. It protects us.”
Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.
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