EVERETT – State Rep. David Simpson has the advantage of incumbency in his Democratic primary race against union leader Mike Sells.
But he also has the problem of having been appointed in January by the Republican-majority Snohomish County Council over the objections of Democratic council members, who backed Sells.
Neither candidate plans to make the matter an issue in the campaign.
“The people’s choice will come Sept. 14,” Simpson said.
“I like to keep things as positive as possible,” Sells said.
The winner of the 38th Legislative District race will face Republican Erv Hogland, who lost in three previous state legislative contests. The district covers Everett, the Tulalip Indian Reservation and part of Marysville.
Simpson said that, even though he’s a Democrat, he’s a “people person” who can get along with legislators from both parties. “When you can work together with both sides, you can better get things done for the citizens of this district,” he said.
Simpson and Sells have similar priorities, including more state funding for transportation, education and health care.
One way to raise more money could be Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ron Sims’ tax overhaul plan, they said. The proposal includes eliminating the 6.5 percent state sales tax and the business and occupation tax, and granting property tax credits for the first $100,000 of a home’s value. In their place, Sims would institute an income tax and a tax on corporate profits that he says would net the state more revenue.
Simpson said he would vote for such a plan only if a majority of his House colleagues do, and if his constituents support it. Sells said he wants more details of the proposal before deciding whether to vote for it. But he added, “I like the outline, because in a lot of ways it shifts the burden to where it belongs: to those who can pay.”
Both Simpson and Sells support Initiative 884, which would add 1 cent to the state sales tax to fund education programs from preschool to college.
Simpson said his top priority is health care. The state should increase funding of clinics, give away some medications to hospitals and clinics, and establish tax credits for companies that pay employees’ health insurance premiums.
Sells said the state should buy medications in bulk from abroad and sell them to residents. He also would mandate companies with more than 50 employees to pay at least part of the cost of workers’ health insurance premiums.
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Primary election
The Herald’s election coverage schedule (contested races only):
Today: 38th Legislative District
Monday: 21st Legislative District
Tuesday: Snohomish County judicial races
Wednesday: 39th Legislative District
Thursday: U.S. Congress
Friday: 38th Legislative District
Saturday: Island County commissioner
Sept. 6: Mukilteo, Arlington and Marysville emergency medical services levies
Sept. 7: Fire Districts 1 (Everett); 3 (Monroe); 4 and 7 (Snohomish); 10 (Bothell); 17 (Granite Falls); 18, 21 and 25 (Arlington); 19 (Silvana); 24 (Darrington); 26 (Gold Bar); 28 (Index); and 5 (Island County).
Sept. 8: Stanwood-Camano and Oak Harbor libraries; Mill Creek Library annexation.
Sept. 9: Sultan and Monroe police levies; Everett sales tax; Langley property tax.
Sept. 10: Various state races.
Sept. 11: Governor’s race.
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Simpson said he would oppose price controls on power rates. Sells said he might consider supporting the re-regulation of the energy market to prevent manipulation of power costs.
The two said they’d both consider voting for tax breaks to lure a NASCAR track to Snohomish County.
Simpson said he personally supports same-sex marriage, but would vote to legalize it in the state only if district voters supported it. Sells said he’d prefer civil unions that grant the same rights to same-sex couples as opposite-sex couples, in part because such a proposal would be easier to get through the Legislature than a marriage law.
Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@heraldnet.com.
The candidates
Name: Mike Sells
Age: 59
Hometown: Everett
Experience: Secretary-treasurer, Snohomish County Labor Council; commissioner, Everett Housing Authority; trustee, Central Washington University; board member, Economic Development Council of Snohomish County.
Top issues: Money to reduce class sizes and increase teacher salaries; more funding for transportation projects; universal health care coverage and expanded prescription drug coverage.
Fun fact: “I collect license plates. I have 4,000 of them.”
Name: David Simpson
Age: 48
Hometown: Everett
Experience: Former Everett City Council member; delegate, Snohomish County Labor Council; member, Downtown Everett Action Committee; alternate member, Everett Planning Commission.
Top issues: Funding for health clinics and tax credits for insurance coverage; jobs programs, including retraining of laid-off employees; funding to reduce class sizes and increase teacher salaries.
Fun fact: “I like trains, and I like broccoli.”
Name: Mike Sells
Age: 59
Hometown: Everett
Experience: Secretary-treasurer, Snohomish County Labor Council; commissioner, Everett Housing Authority; trustee, Central Washington University; board member, Economic Development Council of Snohomish County.
Top issues: Money to reduce class sizes and increase teacher salaries; more funding for transportation projects; universal health care coverage and expanded prescription drug coverage.
Fun fact: “I collect license plates. I have 4,000 of them.”
Name: David Simpson
Age: 48
Hometown: Everett
Experience: Former Everett City Council member; delegate, Snohomish County Labor Council; member, Downtown Everett Action Committee; alternate member, Everett Planning Commission.
Top issues: Funding for health clinics and tax credits for insurance coverage; jobs programs, including retraining of laid-off employees; funding to reduce class sizes and increase teacher salaries.
Fun fact: “I like trains, and I like broccoli.”
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