Editorial: A recap of Herald endorsements for Aug. 2 primary

By The Herald Editorial Board

Less than a week remains now for voters to return their ballots — by mail or ballot drop box — for Tuesday’s Aug. 2 primary election.

With several races involving three or more candidates, voters who skip the primary leave the question of which two candidates will appear on the Nov. 8 general election ballot to the relative few who participate in the primary.

Below, The Herald Editorial Board recaps its endorsements in select races. The full endorsements can be found online at www.heraldnet.com/tag/editorials/. For purposes of the primary election, the board focused on those state and local races where more than two candidates had filed. In races where only two candidates had filed, setting the ballot for November, the board will announce endorsements in the weeks prior to the general election.

In addition to these recommendations, voters also are directed to their local voters pamphlet — also mailed to registered voters — the state’s online voters guide and a series of recorded candidate forums available at the website of the Snohomish County League of Women Voters.

Ballots can be mailed or placed in one of several county election office drop boxes. Ballots must be postmarked or placed in a drop box before 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2. A list of locations for official drop boxes is available at tinyurl.com/SnoCoVote22DropBox. More information on voting, registering to vote and the primary and general elections is available at tinyurl.com/SnoCoVote22.

For information on your Congressional and Legislative district — which may have changed following redistricting — go to app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/.

Federal offices

Endorsements regarding the U.S. Senate, and House races in Washington’s 1st, 2nd and 8th Congressional districts will follow in the weeks prior to the Nov. 8 general election.

Statewide

Secretary of State (unexpired two-year term): Former state Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, was appointed to the state’s chief elections office, following the resignation of Kim Wyman in late 2021. Among the candidates most qualified are Hobbs and current Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson, who is running as a nonpartisan.

Hobbs, with the advantage of his appointment to the office, has not coasted while waiting for the election. Since taking office in November, Hobbs has adopted policies and shepherded improvements that have added to what Wyman left in place. While noting Anderson’s directly applicable experience in running elections and her nonpartisan position, Hobbs is endorsed.

State Legislature

District 1

Endorsements for House, Positions 1 and 2 will follow prior to Nov. 8 election

District 10

House, Pos. 2: Rep. Dave Paul, D-Oak Harbor, is endorsed. Paul’s work within his district on educational and law enforcement issues is representative of his hands-on community-based approach.

An endorsement for House Pos. 1 will follow.

District 12

Endorsements for House, Pos. 1 and 2, for the district new to eastern Snohomish County, will follow.

District 21

House, Pos. 2: Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, D-Mukilteo, is endorsed. Ortiz-Self, a defender of public education and advocate for mental health resources for children, adults and seniors, has based much of her work in the Legislature on those issues.

Endorsements for Senate and House, Pos. 1 will follow.

District 32

Senate: Sen. Jesse Salomon, D-Shoreline, is endorsed. Salomon has had success as primary sponsor of successful legislation in the last two sessions and has offered legislation that could provide more authority for law enforcement to persuade those found with illegal drugs to seek treatment. Salomon in his first term has demonstrated a knack for drafting and winning passage for effective legislation that appeals to both parties.

Endorsements for House Pos. 1 and 2 will follow.

District 38

Senate: Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett, is endorsed. Robinson, in her two years on the Senate, has built on her experience in the House and quickly rose to vice chair of the Senate’s ways and means committee and its emphasis on budgets and taxes, which followed her work in the house as vice chair of the appropriations committee. Robinson from her leadership position has been busy, the primary sponsor on a raft of successful legislation on budget, tax and good government legislation.

House, Pos. 1: Daryl Williams, a Marysville Democrat and Tulalip tribal member, who has had a 45-year career with the Tulalip Tribes in environmental and other policy areas, is endorsed for this open seat. Among a field of strong candidates well-versed on leading issues, Williams stands out for his past environmental work in Olympia, including as current chairman of the state Conservation Commission.

House, Pos. 2: Mark James, a Marysville Republican, city council member and small business owner is endorsed. James’ tenure and demeanor on Marysville’s council, his community work and his commitment to training in municipal service would serve district constituents. James is among the county’s more moderate members of the GOP and could provide a better balanced voice for district residents.

District 39

House, Pos. 1: Current Snohomish County Council member Sam Low, a Republican, is challenging incumbent Rep. Robert Sutherland, R-Granite Falls. Low has earned his endorsement. Low’s current work on the county council allows for a strong reading of residents’ needs and beliefs. Low, one of two Republicans on the five-member county council, has worked effectively across the aisle there and should be able to transfer those skills to his work with fellow legislators in the district and in Olympia.

House, Pos. 2: Rep. Carolyn Eslick, R-Sultan, who has represented the district since 2017, is endorsed. Eslick, shown in her success in drafting and pursuing necessary legislation — and making sure it’s followed by funding and support — has a track record of working well with fellow lawmakers, regardless of party, and paying attention to the interests of her district’s residents.

District 44

Endorsements for Senate and House, Pos. 1 and 2 will follow.

County

Prosecuting Attorney: An endorsement will follow.

Public Utility District, Commissioner, District 3: Tanya “Toni” Olson, who is running for a fourth six-year term on the board, which followed 22 years as a PUD employee in the utility’s front office, is endorsed. Considering the utility’s growing status as a major player regarding goals for a carbon-neutral and efficient electrical grid, Olson’s experience and knowledge on the commission is all the more necessary. She provides a good fit with the board’s two other more recent additions and has retained an engaged interest in the utility and its customers.