Locke and Carlson both tout leadership

By HUNTER GEORGE

Associated Press

SEATTLE — In John Carlson’s view, the Washington governor’s race is directly connected to the initiatives on Tuesday’s ballot.

If voters weren’t so frustrated with the lack of leadership from Gov. Gary Locke, Carlson says, they probably would not be facing measures asking their approval to build more highways, to cut property taxes and improve schools.

Carlson, a Republican who has never held elective office, has some expertise in this area. He successfully ran campaigns for two initiatives that cracked down on violent criminals and a third that rolled back government affirmative action programs.

When he addresses voters on the campaign trail, Carlson asks them: "Is your morning commute shorter? Are your schools better? Are your property taxes under control?

"The fact there are five ballot measures dealing with those three issues tells me people have serious concerns."

Carlson is the former host of a conservative radio talk-show program who has stepped out from behind the microphone to take on one of Washington’s most popular politicians.

Locke, a Democrat favored to win a second term, says Carlson is all talk.

The governor cites accomplishments in education, welfare and government efficiency, and says Republicans in the Legislature have blocked his proposals to ease traffic congestion and cut property taxes.

"I get results," Locke said, "and I’ll get more."

This year’s race is different than the 1996 election, when Locke emerged from a crowded Democratic primary and beat Republican Ellen Craswell in the general election to become the first Chinese-American governor in the nation’s history. Craswell practically beat herself with her ultraconservatism.

The 2000 race is about leadership. Specifically, whether Locke provides any.

Carlson, looking to break the Democrats’ 16-year hold on the governor’s office, locked up the conservative vote by drawing national radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh to Puyallup for the GOP’s annual picnic. Now Carlson is appealing to independents and to women, particularly in the suburbs.

He held news conferences in Bellevue and Vancouver, Wash., to tout his proposals to ease traffic congestion by building billion-dollar bridges over Lake Washington and the Columbia River. He proposes to cut 4,000 jobs in state government and replace them with 4,000 teachers, phase out the state share of the property tax, save endangered salmon runs by removing fishing nets and overhaul the huge Department of Social and Health Services.

His political consultant, longtime friend Brett Bader, says Carlson is known in the Seattle area thanks to his radio program. But he says Carlson needs to boost his name familiarity with moderates in Vancouver and Eastern Washington.

"With John, traffic, education and a property tax plan are of great appeal to those suburban, independent voters. Clearly, the governor has no lock on their allegiance," Bader said.

When Locke is on the campaign trail, he outlines his vision for the state’s future: schools are safe, children meet tough new education standards, health care is affordable, traffic congestion is eased, the water and air are clean, and economic prosperity thrives statewide.

Locke doesn’t apologize for the absence of bold proposals. He says voters want a steady hand at the helm, and his administration has realistic expectations of making consistent progress in all areas.

He says student test scores are rising, and he pushed through legislation that provides college scholarships to middle-class families and requires testing of new teachers. He says traffic congestion relief will be a top priority of the 2001 legislative session.

Locke, who won 54 percent of the overall vote in the September primary, also has begun reminding voters that Carlson isn’t as moderate as he’d like independent voters to believe. Locke notes that Carlson opposes abortion, except in the cases of rape, incest or to protect the life of the mother, and gun control. Locke supports abortion rights and gun control.

Carlson’s policies, Locke says, would leave children in overcrowded classrooms, block cost-of-living pay raises for teachers, ravage public transit and abandon a move to protect delicate shorelines.

The campaign has been far more visible in the last couple of weeks before the election.

Locke, who reported raising $3.3 million and still had $1 million in the bank as of Oct. 10, has blanketed the airwaves with ads touting his accomplishments and vision. Carlson had spent all but $200,000 of the $1.6 million he raised, drawing doubts about his ability to compete with Locke’s campaign in the final weeks.

Libertarian Steve LePage of West Richland is running a shoestring campaign aimed at voters tired of the broken promises from the major parties. LePage, who got less than 2 percent of the vote in the September primary, proposes cutting property taxes by 20 percent, building more roads, repealing the Growth Management Act and legalizing marijuana "with controls."

Copyright ©2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mukilteo in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
On second go, Mukilteo City Council votes against sales tax hike

A veto from Mayor Joe Marine forced the council to bring the potential 0.1% sales tax increase back for another vote Monday.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Two visitors comb the beach at Kayak Point Regional County Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, in Tulalip, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Nate Nehring and WSU Beach Watchers to host beach cleanup at Kayak Point

Children and families are especially encouraged to attend the event at Kayak Point Regional County Park.

One person dead in single-vehicle fatal crash near Stanwood

A 33-year-old male was found dead at the scene Monday evening with his vehicle partially wrapped around a tree.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish Regional firefighters respond to nearly 90 calls on the Fourth

While crews stayed busy on Independence Day, it was far more peaceful than other years.

Vehicles travel along Mukilteo Speedway on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mukilteo approves 84-acre annexation east of Speedway

The annexation of unincorporated land is expected to bring new revenue to the city as it faces budget challenges.

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.