By Pat Jenkins The Dispatch Voters in the Second Legislative District will soon choose two state representatives from among a pair of incumbents, only one of whom has been elected, a retired firefighter trying a second time to win the office, and a third-party candidate hoping to do the near-impossible. Currently representing the district, which includes south Pierce County and part of Thurston County, are Republicans J.T. Wilcox and Graham Hunt. Wilcox is seeking his third two-year term. Hunt was appointed in January to replace Gary Alexander, who resigned. Attempting to unseat Wilcox is Steve Nielson, a member of the Libertarian Party. His third-party candidacy is a rarity in general elections, and breaking the lock that Democrats and Republicans have on the Legislature is even rarer. Nielson has faced an uphill battle since Wilcox finished with 72 percent of the votes in the primary election in August. Greg Hartman, a Democrat who ran for state representative in 2012 and lost to Alexander in the general election, is Hunt's opponent. Ballots will be mailed by election officials Oct. 17 to voters, including the 11,210 in Pierce County who live within the Second District. Voting will end Nov. 4. The four candidates participated in a question-and-answer format with The Dispatch. They answered the same questions, and their responses are printed here verbatim. J.T. WILCOX -á Your civic or community involvement, including any elected offices? -á State representative (two terms). Past King Lion, Yelm Lions Club. Past member, Board of Trustees Yelm United Methodist Church. Past co-chairman of Yelm Community Schools Levy Campaign. Founding vice president, Nisqually River Basin Land Trust. Past member, Board of Directors Pacific Education Institute. Past chairman of MilkPEP (National Got Milk campaign). Past president, Washington Holstein Association. Past member of Washington Egg Commission and Washington Dairy Products Commission. -á Age, residence and full-time occupation or most recent professional experience: 51. -á I live in rural Pierce County near Harts Lake on my family farm. I graduated from Yelm High School and list Yelm as my hometown. I serve on the Board of Directors for Wilcox Farms and work on forestry and real estate as a consultant. -á Describe one to three issues you feel strongest about, and how they should be addressed? -á I ran for office because I wanted to be part of budget and finance policy at the state level and put the lessons I've learned in helping to manage a medium-sized, rural family business in good and bad times to work. As I've served, I've become very interested in the special problems of the rural economy and finding ways to re-energize rural life. I've been one of the eight legislators involved in session-ending budget negotiations for the last two years and have supported fiscally responsible positions that led to the Senate Republican budget being adopted by overwhelming and historic bipartisan majorities in 2013 and 2014. I've consistently voted in ways that express support for the economy of Washington as a whole but insisted that the special issues involved in the rural economy also get attention. Sadly, there's been mixed results for the rural economy. We have succeeded in making small changes in GMA and included important rural provisions in the recent telecom bill. However, a major problem in Washington is the concentration of political power in purely urban hands. Seattle is a global economic hotspot. However, rural areas have shared very little of the benefit. There is also a strong disconnect between urban and rural areas regarding regulation and citizens' rights. The rural Second District consistently supports a program of more rights and less rules and restrictions, and I strongly support my district in this. -á What motivates you to run for this office? -á I have always been motivated to do the best possible job, regardless of the job description of my current position. I originally ran because I thought I could do a better job than the incumbent and also reflect the values of the people of the district more accurately. As I've gained experience, my concern for the rural economy has become an important motivator to me. Of course, as a former CFO of a rural business, I feel strongly about financial sustainability for government and business, as well as regulatory burden that has been an especially onerous for people who live in rural areas and wish to make use of their property.. -á What sets you apart from your opponent in terms of your background and experience relevant to serving in the Legislature? -á I feel more comfortable leaving the task of contrasting myself with my opponent to the voters who are perfectly capable of making wise choices. -á STEVEN NIELSON -á Your civic or community involvement, including any elected offices you've held. -á Currently Parks and Civil Service Commission co-chairman for Orting, LPWA Secretary. Previously PCO and DCGOP Secretary -á , residence, and full-time occupation or most recent professional experience. Age 35. Reside in Orting. Aerospace composites quality engineering management supervisor. Hold a bachelor of science from UW Department of Engineering School of Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering, with a focus in space composite structures. -á Describe one to three issues you feel strongest about, and how they should be addressed. -á First and foremost, I am championing an effort to block any additional gasoline tax hike in the state of Washington from being included in a bipartisan transportation package. Our families do not want another tax, nor can we afford it, especially when such tax disproportionately impacts our rural district which is subject to longer commutes. Secondly, I believe the largest issues facing the citizens of this state are not those being headlined by the media (education and transportation), rather the failure of any effective leadership in the Legislature to challenge the unconstitutional oversteps of the federal government. Our state leadership has an obligation under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to protect rights of the citizens of Washington, and unfortunately I am the only candidate in this race recognizing and giving priority to the fundamental problems in the societal upheaval we are witnessing. This is why I have pre-drafted several "Liberty Initiatives" aimed at curtailing D.C. overreach and setting Washington apart as a leader and champion for state's rights and personal liberties. Finally, I am the only candidate in the Second District that has openly opposed not only I-594 but also I-591. Both are horribly drafted legislation aimed at distancing the citizens of this state from their protected rights defined in the Washington State Constitution, Article 1 Section 24. It is this kind of tempered and non-partisan approach the voters will come to know with me as their representative in Olympia. -á What motivates you to run for this office? -á Under Article V and Amendment 10 of the United States Constitution, the office of state representative is the most responsible for protecting the rights of the individual. It is unfortunate that nearly every single elected representative fails to understand or recognize the importance of the duties required of this office. I am motivated by the opportunity to use this state position to empower the citizens of this state to challenge the fundamental change that this nation is experiencing. I am motivated by a belief that the government is not the solution to our problems, rather is often times the problem itself and deserves a very restrictive reform. I am motivated by the opportunity to provide my daughters a state that sets the example for all others when it comes to truly responsible and limited government with a heavy emphasis on true personal liberty. -á What sets you apart from your opponent in terms of your background and experience relevant to serving in the Legislature? -á I am a career professional engineer, an innovator, and a problem-solver. The very nature of my profession demands identification and effective resolution of problems. Not only does my opponent lack expertise in these skills, but the majority of the Legislature lacks them, as well. If we have a legislative body largely incapable of identifying the true source of failure in our systems, how can we ever expect our government to deliver anything resembling an effective solution? Hence the perpetual debate about the same perennial issues. Washington deserves innovators, those willing to step outside the safety of accepted opinion to seek inspirational and creative solutions that will set Washington apart; solutions creating vast opportunities for economic recovery, tax relief, and innovative new job sectors that do not exist in our current economic situation. Washington deserves better. I can deliver on my promise to be the champion for a better, freer Washington. In that spirit, I have pre-drafted specific legislation aimed at encouraging innovative free-market engineered solutions to energy independence in this state, ending the partisan debate over carbon cap-and-tax. I have pre-drafted legislation requiring legislative review of any federal executive order prior to enforcement or enactment in the state to ensure constitutional compliance. I have pre-drafted legislation modifying our selection of presidential electors and removing the state from the National Popular Vote compact, returning and enhancing the representation of the voters in the selection of the president. I am prepared to not simply go along with the order of business, but to engage Olympia on behalf of the voters on specific legislation that will secure rights and freedoms in this state. It is this passion for liberty that sets me apart from my opponent and makes me the better choice for representing the Second District in Olympia. If you believe that we have a natural right to freedom, if you believe we need a champion for liberty based innovation, and if you believe this state has simply been taxed enough, I ask for your vote and encourage you to ask three friends for their vote as well. Washington is ready for freedom, because freedom matters. -á GRAHAM HUNT -á Civic or community involvement, including any elected offices you've held. Orting City Councilman and deputy mayor. Serve on Board of Directors for the Zoo Trek Authority. Risk Management Service Agency for the Association of Washington Cities. -á Age, residence and full-time occupation or most recent professional experience.. -á Age 36. Orting. Small-business owner, Hunt Family Insurance, a Farmers Insurance brokerage -á Describe one to three issues you feel strongest about, and how they should be addressed. -á I think education is our number one priority right now. The courts have found that we have not properly funded education, and I would agree. There are two things that we need to do moving forward. First, fund education first in the state budget, and once it has been taken care of we can hash out the rest of the budget. Second, we need to have reform and accountability on how the money is spent. California has spent more per capita on their students but routinely finish last or next to last on performance. Let us move forward and use what works and stick with it. -á What motivates you to run for this office? -á My reason for running is that I want to make a difference. I am a combat veteran with multiple deployments to the middle east from 2001 to 2005 and feel that when I came home, the America I once knew had changed. Upon separating from military service, I soon went into business for myself and became politically active. It was over the course of the last few years while serving as a local city councilman that I felt more could be done to represent the values that I know and love. I believe in the Constitution and I believe that the framers of our great nation provided us with all of the tools we need to have a prosperous America, a strong economy, and full realization of what we call the American dream. -á What sets you apart from your opponent in terms of your background and experience relevant to serving in the Legislature? -á As your state representative, I understand that my job is to serve the people of our district. While serving in the armed forces, I was taught a value that I hold near and dear to my heart today - service before self, which means that you must be willing to support the mission no matter what the cost to you personally. I keep this as one of my core values today and have throughout my entire military service. During my professional career, I have worked in the insurance industry at many different levels, from serving on risk management boards, running an insurance agency, and as a consumer of insurance products such as healthcare. I understand the complexities of the insurance world and can apply my knowledge of the industry to help craft legislation that ultimately leads to high-quality care for our consumers that also make sound business sense to the industry to ensure that there is an abundance of options available for consumers. As a business owner, I understand the challenges that businesses in Washington are dealing with and will work with businesses of all shapes and sizes to help make Washington a competitive business environment that promotes economic growth. -á GREG HARTMAN -á Your civic or community involvement, including any elected offices you've held. -á Currently serving as Commissioner for Pierce County Fire Arms Safety Advisory Board; NRA certified range safety officer; past president, vice president and trustee, IAFF Local 864; CPR instructor; art appreciation instructor for Interurban Center for the Arts, a Green River Foundation; Northwest Burn Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, United Way Information and Referral Service, Seattle-King County Crisis Clinic, youth soccer and baseball coach, volunteer firefighter for King County Fire Districts 30 and 39. -á Age, residence, and full-time occupation or most recent professional experience. 61. Graham. Recently retired as deputy fire chief. In that position, I hired, managed and disciplined 136 firefighters and staff; assisted in development and administration of our $24 million budget; reviewed and implemented federal, state and local regulations for staff. I also worked 34 years as a firefighter/emergency medical technician, and served as WATF-1 USAR Planning Section Chief, member of International Association of Fire Chiefs, incident safety officer, battalion chief/safety officer, special operations team manager, deputy fire marshal, and Washington State Joint Apprenticeship Committee board member. -á Describe one to three issues you feel strongest about, and how they should be addressed. -á Education. The state constitution requires the Legislature fully fund basic education. Your current legislators have been violating the constitution and failing our children. Many communities must ask residents to fund supplementental educational levies to make up for the missing state funding. Every time anti-tax state legislators have refused to fund education, they've just been forcing local school districts to squeeze more taxes from their residents. Not all districts can raise enough money, creating educational inequality statewide. This is a particular hardship for rural, low-income districts. Our state constitution requires the cost of education be fairly distributed among the richer and poorer districts so that education is comparably funded in all of our schools. But your legislators have been sticking you with the bill. I want to stop shifting the state's obligation to our local communities. We must change the current system, in which the quality of a child's education depends on where that child lives. School quality should not depend on the value of local property - and won't when your legislators finally obey the law. Transportation. I agree with the following position: "It has been eight years since the state legislature passed a transportation funding package. Every day our companies and citizens lose time sitting in traffic, lose money as products wait to get to market, and lose their jobs when construction, freight and economic growth are halted on our roads and bridges. We can either do nothing as gridlock hurts our wallets and our economy, or we can pass a transportation package to give people transportation choices, creating jobs in every corner of our state." (www.soundtransit.org/Documents/pdf/about/board/Discussion%20Items/) Women's rights and employment fairness. As a proud American, I believe in personal rights and freedoms. Unlike my opponent, I believe that those include a woman's right to make her own reproductive health choices. Should a woman chose to serve in the military or attend college, she should do so without fear of sexual assault. I also believe that anyone working full-time should be earning a living wage and women deserve equal pay for equal work, not 77 cents for every dollar a man makes doing the same job. -á What motivates you to run for this office? -á I believe in democracy, community, our great state of Washington, and breaking partisan gridlock. We can grow the middle class by funding education and roads. We will create family wage jobs by building transportation infrastructure and generating clean energy. We can build a future where everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed. But we must also care for families unable to provide for themselves. I want to bring better roads and schools to the district, not just debate party politics. -á What sets you apart from your opponent in terms of your background and experience relevant to serving in the Legislature? -á I am locally born and raised, as my family worked and ran small businesses in Pierce County for over a hundred years. After completing my Coast Guard service, I returned to live and work in our community. My varied experience and background make me a great fit for the Second District. I am an outdoorsman, a veteran and a firefighter/EMT who knows how to manage. My leadership experience as deputy fire chief and Coast Guardsman has given me the unique ability to build consensus and solve problems. As a deputy fire chief, I implemented legislation, contracts, grants and regulations. I retired early so that I could commit and dedicate my efforts to working for you, my neighbors. The most significant difference between my opponent and me is that, as a moderate Democrat in the majority party, I will better serve this district. I will compromise and build consensus in Olympia to solve problems for you, unlike my opponent, who votes as his party demands. I have over 40 years of public service, and you can count on me to put people ahead of party.
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment