Insurance post needs Kreidler

In replacing Deborah Senn as state insurance commissioner, Washington voters have a choice between two candidates who are likely to bring a quieter approach. At the same time, the Democratic and Republican candidates both are committed to continuing the cause of consumer advocacy.

Democratic candidate Mike Kreidler, a former congressman, offers voters a better choice in the race between two able candidates.

His Republican opponent is Don Davidson. Davidson has a record of public service with more than a dozen years on the Bellevue City Council and lengthy involvement with a variety of community organizations.

Both men are keenly aware of the issues facing consumers and insurance companies. And both have experience in providing health care, Davidson as a dentist and Kreidler as an optometrist.

Kreidler brings a lengthy record of intelligently addressing difficult public policy issues as a state legislator, member of Congress and a member of the Northwest Power Planning Council. More importantly, Kreidler has the advantage in terms of administrative experience. For 17 months, he was regional director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, serving as the top manager for the agency in the Northwest. He was appointed by President Clinton in July 1998, resigning at the end of the following year to run for the insurance post. His policy background and administrative experience can be put to good use in an office that has seen its share of turbulent times under Senn.

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 Saturday, Feb. 8

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

bar graph, pie chart and diagrams isolated on white, 3d illustration
Editorial: Don’t let state’s budget numbers intimidate you

With budget discussions starting soon, a new website explains the basics of state’s budget crisis.

Comment: Democracy depends on support of local journalism

A state bill provides funding to support local news outlets through a modest tax on tech businesses.

Comment: Love is intoxicating; romance doesn’t have to be

Navigating sobriety while dating, with Valentine’s Day coming up, is possible and fulfilling.

Comment: State attempt at single-payer health care bound to fail

Other states have tried, but balked when confronted with the immense cost to state taxpayers.

Forum: Requiem for a lost heavyweight: Sports Illustrated

SI, with Time and NatGeo, were a holy trinity for me and my dad. Now, it’s a world of AI clickbait.

Forum: Political leaders should leave trash talk to ballplayers

Verbal intimidation is one thing on the basketball court; it shouldn’t have a place in our politics.

The Buzz: Why, no, we have complete trust in Elon Musk

But whatever he and Trump are doing to the country, could they please wish it into the cornfield?

Curtains act as doors for a handful of classrooms at Glenwood Elementary on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Schools’ building needs point to election reform

Construction funding requests in Arlington and Lake Stevens show need for a change to bond elections.

FILE- In this Nov. 14, 2017, file photo Jaìme Ceja operates a forklift while loading boxes of Red Delicious apples on to a trailer during his shift in an orchard in Tieton, Wash. Cherry and apple growers in Washington state are worried their exports to China will be hurt by a trade war that escalated on Monday when that country raised import duties on a $3 billion list of products. (Shawn Gust/Yakima Herald-Republic via AP, File)
Editorial: Trade war would harm state’s consumers, jobs

Trump’s threat of tariffs to win non-trade concessions complicates talks, says a state trade advocate.

A press operator grabs a Herald newspaper to check over as the papers roll off the press in March 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald file photo)
Editorial: Push back news desert with journalism support

A bill in the state Senate would tax big tech to support a hiring fund for local news outlets.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, Feb. 7

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