An experienced politician and a self-described average Joe are competing to represent Island County and a slice of Snohomish and Skagit counties in the Legislature.
Norma Smith, R-Clinton, served in the House of Representatives for Washington’s 10th district since 2008 and has been involved in local and state politics since 1991.
Michael Scott, a Libertarian from Camano Island, is in his first political campaign.
They were the only two who sought the position in the August primary. Smith nabbed 78 percent of nearly 27,000 votes. Scott received 22 percent. The Nov. 4 general election will determine who represents the district for the next two years.
Both candidates have flagged education and Washington State Ferries as key issues for the Legislature to address.
Smith also is focused on attracting new industry, creating jobs and planning for the state’s future energy needs.
Scott’s biggest concerns are cutting the influence of special interest groups and curbing “exorbitant” state spending.
“I’m not someone who ever wanted to get into politics, but I thought this is something I needed to help with, this is something I can stand up and do,” Scott said. “It’s hard for just your average person to get involved in this political process. The average folks, they don’t even want to vote anymore.”
He feels the state government has been overreaching and overspending, with decisions made based on money rather than common sense.
Scott wants the state to step away from a publicly run ferry system and allow private operators to take over. Problems and mistakes with ferries are too costly, he said. He doesn’t want to raise taxes or see other modes of public transportation, such as rural bus routes, cut to keep up with ferry maintenance and repairs.
After the state Supreme Court’s decision on school spending, the Legislature also needs to free up several billion dollars to fully fund public education.
Scott thinks state spending problems can be solved without cutting existing services, but that means the Legislature will need to avoid new expenses. He hopes to fund education by redirecting money from other projects. He proposes fewer tax breaks and less financial support for large Washington businesses like Boeing, though it’s not realistic to do away with incentives entirely, he said.
“Education should be our first priority,” Scott said. “The future of our state is the youth. There are a lot of younger folks who have no clue what’s going on, and it’s their future.”
Smith is looking for bipartisan cooperation and fresh ideas to solve the school funding dilemma.
The Legislature has been working to break excessive-spending habits, she said.
“We all know that there’s serious work to be done, and we’ll be about doing it,” Smith said. “I think there is a strong bipartisan will to get this done right.”
Funding education means combing through the state budget for opportunities to redirect dollars. For example, Smith supports a proposal to reroute Washington State Lottery revenue toward the construction of elementary school classrooms. It’s difficult to shrink class sizes if there are no new spaces to put the classes, she said.
As for ferries, she sees a state-run future where crews and passengers have better access to managers so problems can be prevented or caught and fixed promptly.
“I’ve spent a lot of time on ferries,” Smith said. “The ferries are vital to the economic viability of our island communities. We need to really force accountability.”
Smith also aims to reform business development regulations. One of her top priorities is the production sector of the economy. She considers the economy a three-legged stool. Washington has a strong innovative leg and a steady services leg, but the production and manufacturing leg needs to be strengthened. Inefficient, costly and restrictive requirements can chase potential employers away from the state, she said.
“When it becomes one of your competitive disadvantages and you’re losing siting after siting, you have to take notice,” Smith said. “It’s the production sector, the advanced manufacturing, that buoys family wage jobs. It provides great opportunities to really change a family’s stars.”
Smith has raised $75,630 and spent $31,967 on her campaign, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission. Scott has not raised or spent any money.
Kari Bray: kbray@heraldnet.com; 425-339-3439.
The candidates
Name: Norma Smith
Age: 63
Vocation: Legislator, family caretaker
Preferred party: Republican
Website: www.votenormasmith.com
Name: Michael Scott
Age: 51
Vocation: Former director/producer
Preferred party: Libertarian
Website: www.michaelscottoffice.com
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