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

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, July 10

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

2024 Presidential Election Day Symbolic Elements.
Editorial: Retain Escamilla, Binda on Lynnwood City Council

Escamilla was appointed a year ago. Binda is serving his first term.

Blame Democrats’ taxes, rules for out-of-state ferry contract

Gov. Bob Ferguson should be ashamed of the hypocrisy shown by choosing… Continue reading

Letter used too broad a brush against Democrats

In response to a recent letter to the editor, this Democrat admits… Continue reading

Kristof: Women’s rights effort has work to do in Africa, elsewhere

Girls in Sierra Leone will sell themselves to pay for school. The feminist movement has looked away.

French: Supreme Court hits a vile industry with its comeuppance

While disagreeing on the best test, the justices agreed on the threat that porn poses to children.

Comment: When ‘politically correct’ becomes ‘Trump approved’

Companies and reporters are seeing the consequences of using words the president doesn’t approve of.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, July 9

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

A Volunteers of America Western Washington crisis counselor talks with somebody on the phone Thursday, July 28, 2022, in at the VOA Behavioral Health Crisis Call Center in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: Dire results will follow end of LGBTQ+ crisis line

The Trump administration will end funding for a 988 line that serves youths in the LGBTQ+ community.

Welch: A plan to supply drugs to addicts is a dangerous dance

A state panel’s plan to create a ‘safer supply’ of drugs is the wrong path to addiction recovery.

Douthat: Conservatives sacrificed own goals to pay for tax cuts

Along with its cuts to Medicaid, long-held GOP priorities were ignored in the Big Beautiful Bill.

Comment: Supreme Court porn ruling a naked change to speech rights

The majority ignored a 20-year-old ruling that overturned an age-verification law similar to the Texas law.

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.