Democratic state Sen. Steve Hobbs is seeking a third term and, for the first time, isn’t fighting some of his party’s core supporters in the process.
Hobbs is up against Republican Jim Kellett in a closely watched race for a four-year term representing the 44th Legislative District.
Unlike in 2006 and 2010, environmental groups and the statewide teacher unions aren’t aiding and abetting Kellett, as they did former GOP Sen. Dave Schmidt.
Part of the reason: Hobbs has been mending fences. Also, those groups want Democrats to regain control of the state Senate, and they can’t risk harming that effort by knocking out a member, even one as frustratingly moderate as Hobbs.
“This race has become an afterthought, given the make-up of the Senate,” Hobbs said.
Not for Kellett and the Republican Party.
“It is about change in Olympia,” Kellett said. “If you want to change how Olympia works, you have to change who you send there.”
In the primary, the state Republican Party and a political committee set up by Senate Republican Caucus strategists spent roughly $63,000 on mailings to voters. Some lauded Kellett. Others slammed Hobbs for votes he cast and his friendship with disgraced former Snohomish County executive Aaron Reardon.
The barrage didn’t appear to sway the electorate much. Hobbs won by almost 5 percent.
When he is door-belling, the subject doesn’t come up, Hobbs said, referring to the mailers linking him with Reardon. “Obviously he made mistakes, but I had nothing to do with that.”
There’s been no similar volley of attacks thus far in the general election, though Hobbs is prepared. He’s raised almost $339,000 and had only spent about a third of that as of Monday. Kellett had raised $81,000 with about $15,000 still available, according to information posted on the state Public Disclosure Commission website.
Hobbs, 44, of Lake Stevens, has carved a spot for himself in the political middle of the state Senate. He co-founded a coalition of middle-of-the-road Democrats dubbed the Roadkill Caucus.
On social issues, he’s demonstrated a progressive streak, backing gay rights and abortion rights. He’s sponsored the Reproductive Parity Act, which would require any health insurer that covers pregnancy-related services to also cover abortions.
On fiscal matters, he’s shown a willingness to side with Republicans on reforming state pensions, worker compensation and budgeting procedures.
Kellett, 60, of Snohomish, is a conservative, but he’s not made social issues a part of his platform and they have yet to enter into this contest.
Rather, he’s focused on giving voters a different approach to the major issues lawmakers will face in the 2015 session.
On education, for example. Lawmakers are under order of the state Supreme Court to improve funding for public schools, and that might mean coming up with $1.5 billion or more in the next budget.
Kellett said he wants to “fund education first,” and it might require steering dollars away from other non-education programs and services to cover the cost.
Hobbs said a blend of Democratic and GOP ideas must be considered for raising the money, including closing tax exemptions, imposing new taxes, saving money through reform and replacing local levies with state dollars.
On transportation, both candidates agreed on the need for a transportation improvement package that would include a new Snohomish River bridge on Highway 9.
Hobbs put forth a compromise plan at the end of the 2014 session that contained policy changes sought by conservative Republicans and a gas tax hike to pay for projects. It didn’t receive a vote, but he said he’s prepared to try again.
Kellett isn’t convinced a higher gas tax is needed if the state does a better job managing its resources. If an increase is where lawmakers end up, it must be put before voters, he said.
Hobbs and Kellett each oppose Initiative 1351 to reduce class sizes in all primary and secondary grades, calling it a good concept but noting there is no means to pay for it.
Kellett said he opposes Initiative 594 for universal background checks and supports the rival measure, Initiative 591.
Passing 594 won’t stop criminals from stealing guns and committing crimes, he said.
Hobbs said he’s likely to vote against both.
“They’re both poorly written,” he said. “I don’t see how (594) is going to solve our gun violence problem. What we really need to do is put more money into mental health.”
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
The candidates
The job is a four-year term as a state senator in the 44th Legislative District in Snohomish County. The district includes the cities of Lake Stevens, Snohomish and Mill Creek and part of Marysville. The annual salary is $42,106.
Name: Jim Kellett
Residence: Snohomish
Age: 60
Party: Republican
Experience: Financial adviser with Edward Jones; Snohomish County Republican Party chairman 2009-10
Website: www.kellettforsenate.com
Name: Steve Hobbs
Residence: Lake Stevens
Age: 44
Party: Democrat
Experience: State senator, 2007-present; major, Army National Guard Reserves
Website: www.electhobbs.com
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
