I am writing in reference to recent front page article regarding the race for the 39th Legislative District (“Dynamic Duel: Republicans Sutherland and Low square off in primary,” The Herald, July 24). I was interested in knowing more about each candidate and their goals and aspirations for our area and I appreciate the specific issues highlighted in the article, except for one thing: I can’t vote for any other them!

I am angry that the Monroe, Arlington and Sultan communities have now been bumped into the 12th Legislative District with candidates I am totally unfamiliar with. When I looked at my ballot I was shocked to see just three candidates for two positions where two are incumbents from Chelan County! What?! Now we have been added to communities in Chelan, Grant and Okanogan counties, all in Eastern Washington! I know nothing about the candidates other than what’s in the voters’ pamphlet. I don’t know how they have voted in the past or what their political platforms consist of. How can these candidates really represent us? I feel strongly that the community I live in has issues and concerns more similar with the 39th district communities that we live less than 10 miles from.

I also argue that the issues of importance to communities in Eastern Washington counties are totally unlike our surrounding “foothill” communities referenced by Karl de Jong. The economics of our area is totally different than in Eastern Washington! There are multitudes of farmers in eastern Washington counties with farming issues and concerns. I don’t see many wheat farms around here. Our area is an urban area; not a rural community! Despite what the census redistricting dictates, I feel like a part of my voice has been ripped away and that my issues will not be fairly represented in Olympia.

Jane Johnson

Monroe