EVERETT — Protecting property rights, resolving a conflict on water rights incited by the Hirst decision, boosting public safety and dealing with an opioid epidemic emerged Monday as priorities of the three Republican women seeking appointment to a vacant House seat in the 39th Legislative District.
Elizabeth Scott, Georgene Faries and Carolyn Eslick are the GOP nominees to fill the opening created by the resignation of Republican John Koster, of Arlington.
The district includes areas of Snohomish, Skagit and King counties. Council members and commissioners from all three counties will meet at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Snohomish County Council chambers to make the appointment. That person will serve through the 2018 election.
On Monday, the three nominees interviewed with the Snohomish County Council.
Scott, of Monroe, served two terms before Koster and won the second time with 63 percent. She told council members that experience allows her to “hit the ground running” and give them confidence they are “selecting the person our constituents would most want representing them.”
Faries, of Arlington, who has not held elected office, said she would “bring a fresh perspective and new eyes” to problem solving. She cited experience garnered from leadership posts in community and church groups and noted as a mom, “I do legislate a little bit. You get to govern in your own home.”
Eslick is in her third term as mayor of Sultan. She was the only nominee to mention a need to ease traffic congestion and make it safer to travel on U.S. 2. She said she has experience governing in an open and collaborative manner. “I am seasoned and ready to go.”
