By The Herald Editorial Board
The 44th District, which includes parts of Marysville as well as Lake Stevens, Snohomish and Mill Creek and unincorporated areas among those cities, has drawn several primary candidates for both of its House seats.
For Position 1, former Rep. Hans Dunshee’s appointment to the Snohomish County Council opened the seat to three candidates: Former Snohomish County executive and past Democratic legislator John Lovick, Republican Janice Huxford and Wilberforce Agykeum, who stated no party preference.
Lovick technically is the incumbent, having been appointed this spring by the county commissioners to the seat. But Lovick is required to stand for election.
For Position 2, incumbent Republican Mark Harmsworth is running for his second term against Democrats Morrel James Muller and Katrina Ondracek, and Chase Endreson, who stated no party preference. Democrat Kerry Watkins, while his name remains on the ballot, has said he is no longer seeking election and has endorsed Ondracek.
For Position 1, The Herald recommends Huxford and Lovick in the primary.
Huxford, who runs a Lake Stevens roofing and recycling company with her husband, has served on that city’s planning commission addressing economic development and housing growth for six years as well as on the board of the city’s annual Aquafest.
With the district served by Highway 9, U.S. 2 and reliant on I-405 to the south, transportation is a major issue. Huxford believes traffic issues have been mismanaged and made worse by tolls on I-405.
Huxford agrees that basic education has been chronically underfunded but sees taxes as a last resort for finding additional funding and opposes a state income tax or additional business taxes. Huxford said existing revenue should be used to fund schools first, prioritizing remaining funds to fund other state needs.
Lovick offers a lengthy and varied resume, beginning with his service in the Coast Guard, 31 years with the State Patrol, five years on the Mill Creek City Council, nine in the state House and five as speaker pro-tem, five years as county sheriff and two-and-a-half years as county executive.
Lovick said he would make funding education his top priority but will insist on high academic standards that prepare students for a changing economy. As others have he has suggested a review of tax exemptions but also says work must be done to expand the economy and promote and retain jobs that provide the revenue the state requires for education and other needs.
Lovick also wants to continue work regarding transportation and traffic safety, specifically addressing the tolls and congestion on I-405 and advocate for funding for other transportation projects in the county.
For Position 2, The Herald recommends Ondracek and Harmsworth in the primary.
A Lake Stevens resident, Ondracek is executive vice president for the United Way of Snohomish County and has worked for the nonprofit for more than a decade. That experience should provide insight into the needs of her district and the state, particularly with issues related to poverty, drug addiction, homelessness and workforce training and education.
Ondracek said she wants to see teachers compensated fairly and competitively and will seek a collaborative process to address education funding issues. To find additional revenue she favors a review of tax breaks that she believes are unfairly benefiting large corporations and working with educators and officials to develop an education funding plan.
Harmsworth, seeking his second term, has previously served on the Mill Creek City Council and as mayor pro-tem. He also serves on the Everett Community College Foundation board and on the board for the Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County.
Harmsworth led a successful effort to change toll-lane hours after the opening of the I-405 express lanes led to congestion problems in areas. He now seeks to get rid of the toll lanes completely. He also worked to move up improvements for the U.S. 2 trestle.
Harmsworth said he support reforms to improve education and reward good teachers, but does not believe new revenue will be needed to fund the Supreme Court mandate. Work remains to reform the levy system, he said, but will not require new taxes.
About our primary recommendations
For the Aug. 2 primary elections, The Herald Editorial Board is recommending those legislative candidates in each race we believe are the best candidates, despite their differing positions, to move on to the Nov. 8 general election. The recommendations are based on a review of submitted statements and statements in the voters’ pamphlet.
Endorsements for legislative and other races will follow before the general election.
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