After one year in office, Sen. Maria Cantwell is poised for a strong future as a valuable member of Washington’s congressional delegation.
Her freshman Senate year began with more turmoil and less triumph than anyone might have imagined. Cantwell’s narrow victory over Slade Gorton came as almost an afterthought to the 2000 election, finally sealed by a recount. At almost the same time, Cantwell’s dot-com fortune was shrinking. Fellow Democrats turned her campaign debts into a virtual charity cause with some of their regular contributors, leading to Republican mirth over help for a candidate who had denounced special interest money.
Even as 2001 continued, the stars occasionally aligned against Cantwell. Her office was located in the anthrax-contaminated Hart Senate Office Building. For two weeks in December, the building’s closure even contributed to a series of e-mail outages for the office of the senator who, in private industry, helped make Internet video viewing a phenomenon.
Still, even in the early part of the year, she showed the talents that had impressed the public. As her second year of office begins, Cantwell’s sure grasp of issues is as evident as ever.
Because her abilities are respected by fellow Democrats, Cantwell won placement on committees with both national and regional importance. She serves on the energy, judiciary, Indian affairs and small business committees. Cantwell will be well placed, for instance, to address Northwest needs as changes in the energy market evolve. She is clearly committed to continuing the region’s access to hydro energy. With Sen. Patty Murray and other representatives of the state, she has already helped fight for better border security, Boeing 767 tanker construction and pipeline safety.
As the close election showed, the state is split on Cantwell’s relatively liberal philosophy. But she has not been afraid to take a stance, voting early against the confirmation of Attorney General John Ashcroft. While her views will provoke debates, she appears focused on issues that can make a difference for families in the Northwest, including education, economic development and health care.
Despite the turmoil of her Senate start, Cantwell enters 2002 in excellent position to help the state of Washington. Even for all the bad luck and poor timing that accompanied her first months, she and Washington caught a break when Senate control shifted to the Democrats, maximizing her ability to influence legislation. The state has good reason to hope for strong results in the future.
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