Editorial: A recap of The Herald’s primary endorsements

By The Herald Editorial Board

Ten days remain until the Aug. 4 primary election and the deadline to get your ballot in by mail or ballot drop box.

And by “deadline” we do mean dead. If your ballot is mailed but not postmarked by Aug. 4, your vote will not be counted. This happens more often than you might think. In last year’s primary and general elections, more than 3,000 ballots arrived too late to be counted by the Snohomish County Elections Office.

A list of drop box locations for Snohomish County voters can be found at tinyurl.com/SnoCoElexDropBoxList. More election and voting information can be found at tinyurl.com/SnoCoVote2020.

Below is a recap for several primary races and measures on ballots in Snohomish and Island counties. Full endorsement editorials can be found online at www.heraldnet.com/tag/editorials. Endorsements will follow in the coming weeks before the Nov. 3 general election for legislative races that did not require the primary to determine the top two candidates and for select statewide races and measures:

Everett School District, Proposition 1: Yes

Everett Public Schools is going to voters with a 20-year proposal to sell $317.4 million in bonds to build new schools and classrooms and make improvements throughout the district of nearly 21,000 students. The Everett Public Schools bond request provides needed investments, bringing improvements in classrooms and in schools that students will enjoy throughout their years of study.

Lakewood School District, Props. 1 and 2: Yes

The school district seeks approval of a four-year program and operations levy and a two-year technology levy at millage rates lower than a February request.

Darrington School District, Prop. 1: Yes

The school district seeks approval of a two-year program and operations levy at a millage rate lower than a February request

As we prepare to rejuvenate our local and state economies following the pandemic and its economic blows, quality schools — amply funded — offer the best return on the investment of our tax dollars, not just in the education of children who will go on to further study and careers but in the development of valuable members of the community.

Snohomish County PUD

District 1 Commissioner: Considering Sid Logan’s three years on the board and a good balance of experience and leadership now among its three members, Logan should earn the support of voters for a full six-year term.

Snohomish County Council

Council District 4: While his tenure on the county council has been brief, Jared Mead has moved quickly to build solid working relationships with a politically diverse but largely cooperative council.

Legislative District 1

House, Position 2: Shelley Kloba in her four years in the House has shown herself as an effective legislator and warrants a third term.

Legislative District 10

House, Position 1: Among a strong field of candidates, Suzanne Woodard offers skills and background that would be valuable to district residents and fellow lawmakers. Her experience in nursing and health care issues can be drawn on during the consideration of related bills, including keeping health care affordable and serving those who struggle with addiction, mental health issues and homelessness.

House, Position 2: Dave Paul, an administrator at Skagit Valley College’s Mount Vernon campus, is the first Democrat to serve the district in several years, but he has provided good representation for constituents in a “purple” district and should be retained for the next two years.

Legislative District 21

House, Position 1: Strom Peterson particularly has been a leader on environmental issues, and was the prime sponsor in the last two years on successful legislation. Vice chairman on both the environmental and capital budget committees, Peterson also has worked as cooperatively with Republicans on those committees as he has with fellow Democrats.

House, Position 2: Lillian Ortiz-Self’s perspective as an educator and counselor, paired with her three previous terms as a lawmaker, makes her the clear choice for the district’s voters.

Legislative District 32

House, Position 1: Cindy Ryu, during her tenure, has been a reliable advocate for small businesses, public education and affordable housing and deserves the sixth term she seeks.

House, Position 2: Lauren Davis has shown herself as a capable and consensus-building lawmaker. Voters can confidently return Davis to her responsibilities.

Legislative District 38

Senate: June Robinson could bring to the Senate valuable background regarding the state budget, having served as vice-chairwoman on the House appropriations committee. As she was seven years ago when appointed to succeed John McCoy in the House, Robinson was the right choice to follow him in the Senate. Voters can affirm that appointment with confidence.

House, Position 1: Emily Wicks has not served in public office before, but along with a degree in public relations and political science, she has past policy and political experience that would serve her work in the Legislature.

Legislative District 39

House, Position 2: Carolyn Eslick has been an effective and responsive representative for her district. But Ryan Johnson presents his opinions and proposals well and would offer a workaday perspective not seen often among the professionals on the floor of the Legislature. The board recommends voters support Johnson or Eslick and move both on to the November election.

Legislative District 44

House, Position 2: Among three impressive candidates, April Berg’s background in education, planning and aerospace, and her past work as a legislative representative for the Edmonds School Board, prepares her well to serve the district and its residents.