Liias has direct, recent experience for lieutenant governor

Regarding The Herald’s Oct. 4 editorial regarding the lieutenant governor’s race: “Denny Heck best qualified as lieutenant governor”:

Your readers deserve a competing view on your decision not to endorse Marko Liias for lieutenant governor. Following a fairly balanced description of each candidate’s qualifications, you say “The tie-breaker here is Heck’s past work in both state and federal offices and the institutional knowledge that his resume provides.” What is not said here is that Heck’s term in our state Legislature ended in 1986 (34 years ago) and his staff position for Booth Gardner ended in 1993 (27 years ago). Few, if any of the same people or issues are still around today.

Politics is a “people” job, very much dependent on building positive relationships with others currently holding responsible positions. Liias’ leadership role in our state Senate for the past six years gives him the nod in that contest. A successful lieutenant governor in 2021 and beyond not only must know the people, but also know the issues and their interrelationships right now. Liias wins that contest, also. He’s closer to the job than anyone else could be. He ought to be our choice for lieutenant governor.

Neil Bergeson

Tacoma

Talk to us

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, June 1

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

A map of the I-5/SR 529 Interchange project on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Set your muscle memory for work zone speed cameras

Starting next summer, not slowing down in highway work zones can result in a $500 fine.

Comment: Promise seen in vaccines to prevent breast cancer

Studies have shown good results in preventing a recurrence of cancer in patients and are being expanded.

Stigma over homelessness is frustrating efforts of many

Our community is full of people with good hearts like Penelope Protheroe… Continue reading

Plan for library cards after prison will open paths

Washington state’s Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and State Librarian Sara Jones,… Continue reading

Don’t cut vital safety net programs in debt ceiling deal

In response to a recent letter to the editor regarding the debt… Continue reading

Comment: Why we should listen when people say economy is bad

By most measures the economy is strong, but inflation is weighing on the confidence of consumers.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, May 31

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

File - A teenager holds her phone as she sits for a portrait near her home in Illinois, on Friday, March 24, 2023. The U.S. Surgeon General is warning there is not enough evidence to show that social media is safe for young people — and is calling on tech companies, parents and caregivers to take "immediate action to protect kids now." (AP Photo Erin Hooley, File)
Editorial: Warning label on social media not enough for kids

The U.S. surgeon general has outlined tasks for parents, officials and social media companies.

Most Read