I was very pleased to see your Monday editorial responding to the “Deport Pedro’” sign. You were spot on in your description of Pedro Celis — he is indeed a highly qualified candidate for the 1st District U.S. House of Representatives. Pedro is both highly educated and was a successful software engineer at Microsoft, and has shown leadership and specific ideas for resolving some of the thorniest and most contentious issues facing our country today.

When deciding where to cast my vote, I look to each candidate for their ideas and past actions to determine what kind of a representative they might be. I don’t agree with the party line from either party, so when educating myself on who will truly represent the citizens most effectively, actions speak louder than words. Candidates willing to share the specifics of their plans for governing carry more weight with me than generalized statements. I have met both candidates running for this office and my vote will go to Pedro Celis because he is aptly able to communicate specific solutions to the challenges of our times, and isn’t afraid to speak up about how to move our country forward.

Diane Symms

Mukilteo