Steve Hobbs (left) and Doug Roulstone

Steve Hobbs (left) and Doug Roulstone

In ads, Republicans punish a Democrat for voting their way

State Sen. Steve Hobbs is getting slammed for supporting bills introduced by GOP lawmakers.

OLYMPIA — Steve Hobbs is used to taking his lumps in the political arena and on the campaign trail.

But the centrist Democratic state senator from Lake Stevens still found the flurry of jabs getting thrown at him by Senate Republicans ahead of the Aug. 7 primary a bit unsettling.

Especially considering GOP senators dreamed up or drafted most of the policies he’s getting slammed for supporting.

“They feel they have to go after me and it’s unfortunate,” Hobbs said. “It’s a desperate move on their part.”

Early Wednesday, the 30-second ad started airing on CNN, ESPN and other cable channels. It is slated to run hundreds of times over the next two weeks, according to contracts posted on the Federal Communication Commission website.

Coupled with mail pieces and digital ads, Senate Republicans have funneled nearly $70,000 through Washington Forward, an independent political committee, to batter Hobbs. The hope is to better the chances of their candidate, Doug Roulstone, of Snohomish, in November. (This presumes Roulstone beats the other candidate in the primary, Libertarian Jeremy Fitch, of Everett.)

Hobbs is targeted for a simple reason. Republicans hold 24 seats in the Senate and need one more to reach a majority. The GPS for the party’s political strategy shows one of the best routes to this destination runs through the 44th Legislative District in Snohomish County.

It is a district where voters routinely choose Democrats and Republicans to represent them in the Legislature. A Republican, Dave Schmidt, held the Senate seat until Hobbs beat him in 2006.

“We feel that Steve Hobbs has rented a Republican seat for too long,” said Justin Matheson, the political director for the Senate Republican Campaign Committee. “It’s probably the most conservative seat the Democrats still hold that we don’t have.”

Hobbs, who travels in the political left lane on social and civil rights issues and the right lane on fiscal policy and government reform, has been a pretty good Democrat tenant — by Republican standards — though the 30-second commercial paints a different picture.

He is criticized for voting to raise the gas tax in 2015 and statewide property tax in 2017 and, earlier this year, supporting a bill to make some but not all lawmakers’ records public.

What the ad leaves out is the critical role Republican senators played in all three of those matters.

A GOP senator drafted the gas tax legislation that is now financing billions of dollars of transportation improvements.

Another Republican senator first proposed the property tax increase, which is enabling the state to better fund public schools as demanded in the McCleary case. In fact, Republican senators used their then-majority in 2017 to repel every alternative put forth by Democratic lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee. Only in 2018 — with the state rolling in dough from the booming economy and the GOP back in the minority — did Republican senators clamor for tax relief.

And finally Senate Minority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, co-sponsored the aforementioned public records legislation that Inslee wound up vetoing after an outcry from residents and media.

Schoesler’s role also entails raising money and electing Republicans. He steers The Leadership Council, the source of money behind the attack ads. Thus, the GOP leader is in the position of blasting Hobbs for supporting one of his ideas.

Hobbs is counterpunching with $50,000 worth of commercials on cable channels, 2,051 spots in all. They focus on his record, not the Republican jabs, he said.

He figures if he can eclipse 50 percent by a comfortable margin, it might cause the Senate Republican caucus to ponder other routes to the majority.

Hobbs would still take his lumps but the jabs might lack the same punch.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@herald net.com. Twitter: @dospueblos.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

The Victorian home sits on Whidbey Island. (Alyse Young for The Washington Post)
Whidbey couple thought they found their dream home — then came the bats

The couple had no recourse after unknowingly buying a home infested with thousands of bats.

The Snohomish County Jail is pictured on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Report reveals cause of Everett man’s death in Snohomish County Jail

Terry Crusha was booked into the jail on May 17. He died three days later, part of a string of deaths there.

Boeing workers file into Angel of the Winds Arena to vote on the latest contract proposal from the company on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists prepare to go back to work after strike ends

After voting no twice, 59% of union members approved the latest contract.

Twede’s Cafe is pictured at the corner of Bendigo Boulevard and North Bend Way on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in North Bend, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Relive ‘Twin Peaks’ with cherry pie and damn fine coffee at Twede’s Cafe

The North Bend cafe, known as Double R Diner on the campy cult-classic, serves up nostalgia and a damn good breakfast.

From left to right, Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman. (Photos provided by the U.S. Navy)
Remains of Whidbey Island pilots to return this week

Lt. Cmdr Lyndsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman died in a crash on Oct. 15.

Everett
Everett men arrested in huge bust of Seattle drug ring

On Wednesday, investigators searched 31 locations, but suspects from Lynnwood and Edmonds remained at large, officials said.

Police believe a driver fled a traffic stop and crashed into five people Saturday morning in Everett. (Photo provided by the Everett Police Department)
3 killed in Everett crash identified

Everett police are seeking tips about the early Saturday morning crash.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 18 years for causing baby’s brain damage

Seven years after dropping his baby on a table, Joseph Bradley was sentenced late last month.

The L pod orcas surprised many on Whidbey Island when they returned to Penn Cove for the first time in over 50 years. (Photo provided by Sarah Geist)
Orca family returns to Penn Cove after 50 years

In 1970 and 1971, orcas were herded into the cove off Whidbey Island. This month, members of the L pod returned.

A house is completely surrounded by floodwater along Pioneer Highway on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New gate is latest piece in Stanwood’s flood protection puzzle

The floodgate will drastically decrease reaction time when the Stillaguamish River jumps its banks.

Large logs flow quickly down the Snohomish River as the river reaches minor flood stage a hair over 25 feet following an overnight storm Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Rainy, gusty week to come in Snohomish County

The Snohomish River could reach the “action” flooding stage, but forecasters don’t expect any flooding here.

Police believe a driver fled a traffic stop and crashed into five people Saturday morning in Everett. (Photo provided by the Everett Police Department)
Police still working to identify driver in Everett crash that killed 3

A driver fleeing a traffic stop reportedly crashed into five people on the side of the road early Saturday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.