This is the third time that both John McCoy and Randall Rike have sought a seat in the state Legislature.
McCoy lost once, won once and now is seeking re-election to a second term in the House of Representatives. Rike hopes the third time will be the charm for him, and says if not, this likely will be his last campaign.
The two Democratic candidates for the Position 1 House seat in the 38th Legislative District are focused on improving the job market.
“We need to bring diverse businesses to the district and the county to bring jobs, jobs and more jobs,” McCoy said. “I help provide millions of dollars to Everett Community College and improvements there so we can have job training and other skills for the work force of Snohomish County.”
Rike wants the state to lure large corporations and the union jobs that come with them by providing tax relief for the companies. Over time, he said, the state can pressure the companies to start paying more taxes and relieve taxpayers.
“I’m not in favor of burdening major corporations with major taxes,” he said. “That’s why we’re scaring businesses out of the state.”
The state needs to attract companies with a massive advertising campaign, he said.
McCoy supports a NASCAR racetrack in Snohomish County, but said “all the information isn’t in” and he wants to ensure that it would be viable.
NASCAR could boost tourism, which is one aspect of a good economy, McCoy said. Having a track here could also accelerate the pace of infrastructure improvements by the state, he said. Such improvements are needed whether the track comes or not, he said.
Rike opposes a NASCAR track “because it’s going to choke off the cities,” he said. “As much as I want to bring diversity to the community, does it all have to be NASCAR? It’s either NASCAR or gaming or Boeing.”
McCoy wants to improve transportation by upgrading roads that can be repaired, but also wants to educate the public to use mass transit, he said.
Rike doesn’t think the 38th District is getting back enough of the tax money it sends to Olympia, and says he’d fight for more with “character and passion.” He’d also like to see more light rail and more heavy rail with passenger capacity.
“Growth is relative to our arteries of transportation,” Rike said. “It’s hard to expand. As a physical body, you can’t grow if you can’t get blood flow.”
McCoy also is concerned about growth. “We need open space, because it reduces storm water,” he said.
Both candidates want to improve access to health care.
McCoy wants to enhance the bargaining power of businesses by letting them work together and pool resources to get a better deal.
Rike favors challenging drug makers for a better deal and seeking cheaper sources of prescription drugs.
“We can go somewhere else” to get them, he said. “They’re coming to these state legislatures and expecting them to roll over for them.”
Reporter Cathy Logg: 425-339-3437 or logg@heraldnet.com.
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