I wanted to learn more about local politics so I decided to email both candidates for representative in my district (44th): Jared Mead and Mark Harmsworth, and asked for an interview.
Mead responded within 24 hours and agreed to a face-to-face meeting. We met and he gave me an hour of his time and I published a summary of the interview on Facebook. Meanwhile I reached out to Harmsworth twice and heard no response. When I published the interview with Mead, I forwarded it to Harmsworth and said I would like to have a similar interview with him. It was not unit then that I heard back, and he sent me his own responses to the interview I had with Mead. I responded that the published article was a result an hour-long interview with Mead, and that I would need more details if I were to publish his response. He declined to meet in person but agreed to an email exchange and I emailed some follow up questions. After a week with no response I followed up, then again after a few more days. Finally I received a Facebook message that he did not wish to participate further with the interview.
Being a state representative means representing the people of your district, and you cannot do that if you are unwilling to engage with your constituents. Jared Mead understands this, Mark Harmsworth does not. I plan of voting for Jared Mead this fall.
Michael Hammond
Everett
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