Forum: New Herald columnist hopes to encourage dialogue, insight

Todd Welch is a Navy veteran and former member of the Lake Stevens City Council and will focus on local issues.

By Todd Welch / Herald Forum

Editor’s note: The Herald Opinion section is welcoming a new regular columnist to its pages. Look for Todd Welch’s columns regularly on Wednesdays.

I’m Todd Welch, and I’m thrilled to join The Herald as a new columnist. As someone who values thoughtful discussion and robust debate, I’m excited to bring a right-of-center perspective to the community’s conversations on the issues that shape our lives.

A little about myself: After moving to Snohomish County in 1995, I’ve immersed myself in the Northwest’s vibrant culture and its unique challenges. My professional journey has been diverse, including a 20-year Navy career and then the information technology field. After retiring from the Navy in 2011, I was elected to the Lake Stevens City Council, where I served for eight years. I then served on the city’s planning commission. I now live in Everett. Through these experiences, I’ve cultivated a deep appreciation for pragmatic solutions, individual responsibility, and the importance of fostering opportunities for all.

In my column, I aim to address a range of topics: local governance, economic policy, cultural trends and beyond. I will be focused on Washington state and Snohomish County. A regional perspective is vastly more important to your life than what is occurring in the other Washington. While my viewpoint leans conservative, my goal is not to stroke division but to encourage understanding and discussion. I believe in the power of respectful dialogue and the exchange of ideas, and I welcome readers from all perspectives to engage with my writing.

As we navigate the complexities of our modern world, I’ll strive to bring you commentary that’s informed, balanced and grounded in principle. I hope to shine a light on our community’s challenges and opportunities with a commitment to solutions promoting prosperity and liberty.

Thank you for allowing me to be in your homes and have conversations. I look forward to the journey ahead and invite you to share your thoughts and ideas as we explore these critical issues together.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

Congress vacation
Editorial cartoons for Monday, Oct. 13

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

2024 Presidential Election Day Symbolic Elements.
Editorial: Selecting county charter review panel fundamental

Voters’ picks of three members of the panel will help determine what amendments they see next fall.

Comment: The cases for and against a Nobel for President Trump

It wasn’t a realistic expectation this year. Trump can best make his case by not making a case at all.

Zeke Hausfather / The Climate Brink
Comment: Charts’ trend lines give lie to climate deniers’ claims

Some recent charts show unmistakable and drastic increases in global temperatures in recent years.

Stanwood seniors worried by GOP’s health care cuts

“What’s going to happen to me with these cuts to Medicaid and… Continue reading

Dangerous to end tracking reports on hunger in U.S.

Regarding recent letters to the editor about cuts to SNAP and health… Continue reading

Comment: Wealth taxes didn’t work in Nostradamus’ time; and don’t now

Regardless of where used, they are hard to implement and don’t raise the revenue that’s seen as necessary.

The marble statue depicting “The Authority of Law” is visible outside the Supreme Court in Washington on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. President Donald Trump’s policies will have an even more central role in the Supreme Court term that begins on Monday. (Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times)
Comment: Supreme Court poised to expand the president’s powers

The current term could see the overturn of precedents that provided a check against a unitary executive.

2024 Presidential Election Day Symbolic Elements.
Editorial: Frizzell best choice for diverse, growing Lynnwood

City council member Hurst has legitimate financial concerns, but Frizzell remains a skilled leader.

2024 Presidential Election Day Symbolic Elements.
Editorial: Mata, Leutwyler for Lynnwood council seats

With the city facing a budget crisis, voters will determine who serves on four council seats.

Humans caused climate crisis, and they can stop it

Our weather is changing before our eyes. Our planet is heating up… Continue reading

WM brings recycling basics to class

School is back in session, and so is the environmental education and… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.