Showing posts with label candidate forum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label candidate forum. Show all posts

Shoreline City Council Candidates discuss the environment

Friday, October 8, 2021

L-R Laura Mork, Eben Pobee, John Ramsdell, Chris Roberts

By Jamie Holter

The Washington League of Women Voters and the local non-profit group Save Shoreline Trees hosted a candidate forum Tuesday, October 5, 2021 devoted to green topics: climate change, the tree canopy, heat islands, parks and open space, building codes, and affordable housing.

Because all candidates are running unopposed and Chris Roberts is unopposed and the incumbent, candidates were mostly in alignment and supportive about what’s been done and what they will do.

This forum was a unique opportunity to see each future councilmembers’ strengths and passions in this area and see how they might complement each other as they will eventually be working together on these important issues.

Laura Mork is an engineer by trade and focused on engineering ideas like permeable (water-absorptive) sidewalks, rain gardens, new construction ideas like all electric buildings and painting roofs white, more incentives, and her experience with the Salmon Safe program and the City’s Deep Green Incentive Program.

Eben Pobee, a budget analyst and Ghanaian immigrant, shared his passion and experience with significant community engagement as the city makes these decisions and moves forward on policy and programs.

John Ramsdell, a mental health clinician, spoke fervently about the well-being of residents, the benefits of green space, access to open space, the creation of pocket parks, and eliminating the stressors of life like lack of affordable housing.

Chris Roberts brought specifics to the conversation when discussing the balance of high-density housing and the preservation of large-diameter trees, the comprehensive plan, looking at sidewalk width and how there might be some flexibility, and the planting of more street trees along transit corridors.

The candidates all spoke of the value of multi-family housing / affordable housing along and around transit corridors as a means of managing climate change and the efficient use of land. 

They supported tax-incentives to build the high-density communities and the concept of all-electric buildings (no gas utilities, only electric). 

They also acknowledge that large developments require the removal of the long-standing tree canopy and one idea might be to encourage or require more trees inside these developments as a way to find that balance.

They also supported pocket parks to give more residents the opportunity to experience open space. “Everyone should be within walking distance of a park,” said Mr. Ramsdell.

Mr. Pobee suggested raising the cost for tree cutting permits.

Councilmember Roberts would like to see the new parks bond support more open space beyond the areas near the new transit centers. He also discussed more flexibility in sidewalk width requirement. 

Ms. Mork discussed the need to keep our existing trees healthy and doing an inventory of heritage and valuable trees while Mr. Ramsdell said the City talks about a zero reduction in tree canopy, but acknowledged, regretfully, that’s probably not possible.

One question centered around the frustration of being brought into the development process when projects are at 60 percent design and neighbors have missed their opportunity to weigh in. Mr. Ramsdell emphasized the importance of council members attending neighborhood meetings to listen and bring concerns back. 

Mr. Pobee said community input throughout the process is necessary. Ms. Mork talked about the need for more data as we make these decisions. Mr. Roberts shared what the city is already doing, acknowledging that it could be better.

There seemed to be much agreement and passion with this group. They also seemed to complement each other so it may be that they will find agreement to move forward on these issues.

Shoreline Council Candidate Forum

October 5, 2021 Shoreline Council Candidate Forum. Here is the video link to this forum as posted on the League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County website. The video of the forum starts at 1.5 minutes. This forum was co-sponsored by Save Shoreline Trees.


Updated 10-9-2021

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LFP Prop 1 and City Council Candidate Forums presented by Third Place Commons

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

If you live in Lake Forest Park, don’t cast your ballots this fall without tuning into two important election related forums presented by Third Place Commons.


On Thursday, October 7, 2021 at 7pm, Third Place Commons presents the Lake Forest Park City Council Candidate Forum via Zoom

Hear from the candidates about their positions on critical issues of importance to you and your community.

The forum will be moderated by a representative from an outside chapter of the nonpartisan League of Women Voters. 

The forum will follow their standardized format allowing for each candidate to answer each question in timed responses.

The moderator will ask both questions prepared in advance, based on current issues facing the community, and those solicited in writing from the audience during the event.

All candidates for the city council have agreed to participate. Registration is required to attend. Register here for the Lake Forest Park City Council Candidate Forum.


Then, on Saturday, October 16th at 1pm, Third Place Commons presents a second nonpartisan forum, the Lake Forest Park Prop 1 Pros and Cons Forum, also via Zoom.

Explore the intentions and ramifications of Prop 1 before casting your ballot. The ballot measure will be presented, followed by commentary from both the Pro side and the Con side, after which written audience questions will be fielded and discussed for the remainder of the time.

Register here for the Lake Forest Park Prop 1 Pros and Cons Forum.

Third Place Commons – a community supported 501(c)3 nonprofit organization – has been building real community in the heart of Lake Forest Park for over 20 years. In addition to presenting its largest program, the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market, Third Place Commons now also fosters real community in digital space with TPC At Home programs.



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Shoreline Council Candidate Forum on Tues., Oct. 5 from 7pm to 8:30pm

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

L-R Mork, Pobee, Ramsdell, Roberts

Shoreline Council Candidate Forum on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 from 7pm to 8:30pm

The League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County and Save Shoreline Trees are co-sponsoring this candidate forum with the candidates running for Shoreline City Council. 

The candidates are Laura Mork, Eben Pobee, John Ramsdell and Chris Roberts (incumbent). The focus of this forum will be environmental issues. Audience questions on any subject may be submitted via the Q/A Zoom function.

Registration is required even up to the start time of this Zoom webinar.

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EVlx1iMGT7OCbFTeHuk1uA

For more information email saveshorelinetrees@gmail.com



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Environmental Issues Focus of Shoreline Candidate Forum on October 5

Thursday, September 30, 2021


The League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County and Save Shoreline Trees are co-sponsoring an online forum with the four candidates running for Shoreline City Council.

The candidates are Laura Mork, Eben Pobee, John Ramsdell and Chris Roberts (incumbent).

This forum will be held as a Zoom webinar and will be conducted according to the League of Women Voters guidelines. The date of the forum is Tuesday, October 5 from 7pm to 8:30pm.

The forum’s focus will be environmental issues, including climate conditions now impacting the City of Shoreline.

Audience questions on any subject may be submitted via the Q/A Zoom function.

Registration is required to attend this forum, either in advance or up to the start time of the forum. Register in advance for this Zoom webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EVlx1iMGT7OCbFTeHuk1uA

Co-Sponsors: League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County, and Save Shoreline Trees

For more information:


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Candidate forum October 7 for Lake Forest Park City Council candidates

Monday, September 27, 2021

LFP City Council Candidate Forum Presented by Third Place Commons on October 7, 2021.

If you live in Lake Forest Park, don’t cast your ballots this fall without tuning into the City Council Candidate Forum via Zoom on Thursday, October 7th at 7 PM.

Third Place Commons invites you to hear from the candidates who may play an integral role in the future of Lake Forest Park. Tune in as the candidates share their positions on local issues of critical importance to you and your community.

The forum will be moderated by a representative from an outside chapter of the nonpartisan League of Women Voters. The forum will follow their standardized format allowing for each candidate to answer each question in timed responses.

Questions will be asked by the moderator and include both questions prepared by the moderator in advance, based on current issues facing the community, and those solicited in writing from the audience at the event.

All candidates for the city council have agreed to participate. These include (in alphabetical order by position):

Council Position # 1
  • Semra Riddle

Council Position # 3
  • Stephanie Angelis
  • Jon Lebo

Council Position # 5
  • Tracy Furutani
  • Maddy Larson

Council Position # 7
  • Larry Goldman
  • Paul Sanford

This important community event is hosted by the Board of Directors of Third Place Commons, and in the interest of public health, it will be held via Zoom rather than in-person.

Registration is required to attend. Register here for the Lake Forest Park City Council Candidate Forum.

Third Place Commons – a community supported 501(c)3 nonprofit organization – has been building real community in the heart of Lake Forest Park for over 20 years. In addition to presenting its largest program, the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market, Third Place Commons now also fosters real community in digital space with TPC At Home programs. Learn more at ThirdPlaceCommons.org



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Environmental issues focus of online candidate forum in Shoreline on October 5, 2021

Thursday, September 2, 2021

l-r Mork, Pobee, Ramsdell, Roberts

The League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County and Save Shoreline Trees, a Washington state non-profit organization, are co-sponsoring an online forum with four candidates running for Shoreline City Council.
 
The candidates are Laura Mork, Eben Pobee, John Ramsdell and Chris Roberts (incumbent). The forum will be held as a Zoom webinar and will be conducted according to League of Women Voters guidelines. The date of the forum is Tuesday, October 5, 2021, from 7pm to 8:30pm.

The forum’s focus will be environmental issues, including climate conditions now impacting the City of Shoreline, the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and how to preserve Shoreline’s mature conifer and native trees. 

Each candidate will have a two-minute opening statement followed by a prepared question-and-answer segment pertaining to environmental issues. Audience questions on any subject may be submitted via the Q/A Zoom function. The League of Women Voters moderator will ask all questions.

Even though all four candidates are running unopposed for the City of Shoreline Council positions, citizens are encouraged to learn the candidates’ views on the environment and immediate and long-range solutions to the dramatic climate conditions we are now experiencing. Shoreline, along with all cities in King County and the Northwest, has recently experienced two heat-dome episodes within the last two months.

Register in advance for this Zoom webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EVlx1iMGT7OCbFTeHuk1uA

The League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. If you would like to join us in our work, please contact us at 206-329-4848 or email info@lwvskc.org

Save Shoreline Trees is a community coalition formed to bring neighborhoods together for a common cause: to preserve our tall conifer and native tree canopy, which provides health benefits and helps mitigate climate change. Save Shoreline Trees believes these trees belong to all of us and we have the right and responsibility to speak for the trees by raising concerns to the community, the City of Shoreline and elected officials.

For more information


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Tonight, Thursday,July 29, 2021, from 7:00pm - 8:30pm - virtual candidates forum for Northshore Fire Commissioners

Thursday, July 29, 2021

Tonight, July 29, 2021, from 7:00pm - 8:30pm


The Lake Forest Park Citizen's Commission will hold a Virtual Event with the Primary Candidates and the General Election Candidates for the Northshore Fire District, seen on the ballot as King County Fire Protection District No. 16:

King County Fire Protection District No. 16, Commissioner Position No. 3

King County Fire Protection District No. 16, Commissioner Position No. 5

We have included Lake Forest Park Water District, Commissioner Position No. 3 to participate in this event also.
This will be an opportunity for the Candidates to introduce themselves, their platforms, and campaigns.

The ballots are already out for the Primary, but if you have not voted yet, this event may help you decide how to vote.

We will have an chance for the Public to ask questions, for the Candidates to respond, and we will also be introducing any General Election candidates that show up.

Google Meet joining info

We are also having a second Virtual Event on Monday night (August 2nd), for the General Election Candidates to present their campaigns, platforms, request support, also take questions, and give answers.




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LFP Citizen's Commission schedules two candidate forums

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

The community group Lake Forest Park Citizen's Commission has scheduled two candidate forums for the Lake Forest Park / Kenmore community.

Lake Forest Park Citizen's Commission:
Voters' Candidate Forum #1 of 2, Primary - Northshore Fire District Commissioners
Thursday, July 29 · 7:00 – 8:30pm
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/iuf-cnmo-qty

This is a Voter's Candidate Forum to meet the Candidates in the Primary, and those running for General Election in the Northshore Fire District Races. 

We will also invite the Lake Forest Park Water District Commissioner running Unopposed in Position #3 to introduce themselves. 

This event is free, open to the public, and people are welcome to come and go as they wish. We plan to have the candidates introduce themselves, talk a little bit about their campaign, and be prepared to take questions, and give answers to the public.

The 2nd Event:

Lake Forest Park Citizen's Commission:
Voters' Candidate Forum #2 of 2 - Pre-Primary Event for General Election Candidates
Monday, August 2 · 7:00 – 8:30pm
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/riy-bhjn-ppv

Hi Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, and Shoreline Communities, this is a Voter's Candidate Forum to meet the candidates running for office in the general election. 

This will be an opportunity to meet the candidates, give them a chance to introduce their campaigns, and for them to take some questions, and give some answers to the public. This event is free, open to the public, as always, People are welcome to come and go as they wish, and need. We expect to have an opportunity for the public to ask some questions to the candidates.



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Candidate forum: 32nd District candidates discuss police accountability

Thursday, July 16, 2020

By Evan Smith

Incumbent Democratic 32nd District State Rep. Cindy Ryu and Democratic challengers Keith Smith and Shirley Sutton all say that police need to be more accountable.

Democrats Ryu, Smith and Sutton will meet in the Aug. 4 primary with the top two candidates advancing to the Nov. 3 general election.

No Republicans or independents filed for the position.


Sutton - Smith - Ryu
 

Ryu, Smith and Sutton have sent responses to the question, “What can the legislature do to prevent the kind of police behavior that recently killed a man in Minneapolis?” Here are their responses:

Legislative District 32, State Representative Pos. 1

Shirley Sutton (Prefers Democratic Party)

Police are legally protected and in many cases impossible to prosecute for crimes – even when captured on video! In 2018, I-940 passed with a 60% vote in WA State. I propose that I-940 gives us the opportunity to upgrade Washington’s police accountability laws. Perhaps upgraded performance evaluations and reviews like all other professions needs to be more frequent. In most cases, there’s no accountability to the community. Right now, the most important thing is to listen to the demands from our communities of color.

Keith Smith (Prefers Democratic Party)

The legislature needs to increase accountability for inappropriate use of force. This includes independent oversight, judicial involvement in investigations, and increasing transparency for the public to know which officers have received complaints.

We also need to de-police situations. This means fully funding social services. We need to focus on getting social workers to mental health and drug use situations. Too often the police are called to situations where they are not needed. By removing the gun from those situations we will dramatically decrease the chances of a tragic outcome.

Cindy Ryu (Prefers Democratic Party)

In 2016, my House Bill 2908 established the joint legislative task force on police use of deadly force. Subsequently, I-940 adopted some of its recommendations. We must now change our laws to prohibit chokeholds and other holds that use pressure on the neck; mandate community oversight boards for all police agencies in the state, including WSP; conduct completely independent criminal investigations of injuries and deaths from police use of force and custody; and provide that officers with sustained misconduct complaints must lose their commissions and cannot transfer to other agencies.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com



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Candidate Forum: Pollet, Brown discuss education in District 46 race

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

By Evan Smith

Democratic incumbent 46th Legislative District State Rep. Gerry Pollet and Republican challenger Eric Brown recently sent comments on financial support for public education.

Pollet and Brown are running in the Aug. 4 primary election. With only two candidates, both will advance to the Nov. 3 general election.

The 46th District includes Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and northeast Seattle. Here are their responses to the question, "How can legislators improve the way we pay for schools?":

Pollet - Brown


Legislative District 46, State Representative Pos. 1

Gerry Pollet (Prefers Democratic Party)

I’m a champion for fully funding our schools. We weren’t fully funding before the Pandemic. That’s why our school districts rely on levy funds for special education. KING5 called me “the Legislature's leading advocate for special education.”

I’m working to make our tax system more fair to fund education by replacing regressive sales taxes with taxes on wealth and closing massive corporate tax loopholes. I will continue to oppose diverting funds to non-public schools.

Eric J. Brown (Prefers Republican Party)

Every legislator should improve how you pay for schools. Know that our legislators are failing! Washington law, called a Blaine Amendment, makes paying for schools painful. Enacted to discriminate against Catholics, proving the ultimate logic of discrimination is totalitarian government! Teachers Unions force students into economic dead ends. No money, no educational options. The Legislature must kill this law, open scholarships; you decide which school. Partnerships between educators makes your education affordable.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com



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Candidate Forum: Daranciang, Valdez, comment on education

Sunday, July 12, 2020

Daranciang - Valdez
LD 46, Pos 2
By Evan Smith

In an earlier post showing candidate comments on education, I left out part of the comments from Republican 46th Legislative District challenger Beth Daranciang. She is running against incumbent Democratic State Rep. Javier Valdez in the Aug. 4 primary and Nov. 3 general election in the 46th Legislative District, which includes Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and northwest Seattle. With only two candidates on the primary ballot, both will qualify for the general-election ballot.

Here are their responses to the question, “How can legislators improve the way we pay for schools?”:

Legislative District 46, State Representative Pos. 2

Beth Daranciang (Prefers Republican Party)

State education funding should be focused on improving the education of all children. To that end, and to satisfy the McCleary decision, state spending on K-12 schools has doubled in the last eight years.

The COVID-19 crisis has reinforced the importance of directing education efforts and funding to the most effective ways of educating our children, including empowering teachers to improvise in ways that fit their particular students.

Javier Valdez (Prefers Democratic Party)

While the Legislature has made progress on the state's paramount duty to fund our public schools, we know we still need to make further investments to provide more nurses, counselors, social workers, and librarians in our schools. We need to look at new revenue policies that will shield our working-class families and focus on the wealthiest taxpayers that can pay more. It's also time to re-examine the over 700 tax exemptions our state allows.


This is part of a series of responses to questions we’re sending to candidates running in the Aug. 4 primary election. We will present responses to our questions from candidates for state representative positions in the 32nd and 46th legislative districts. This question came from a reader. Send future questions for the candidates to schsmith@frontier.com.



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Candidate Forum: Davis, Petersen, Smilanich discuss issues in 32nd District race

Saturday, July 11, 2020

Smilanich - Peterson - Davis
By Evan Smith

Incumbent Democratic 32nd Legislative District State Rep. Lauren Davis, Democratic challenger Gray Petersen and non-partisan challenger Tamra Smilanich are pushing a variety of issues as they campaign for the Aug. 4 primary election.

The top two candidates in the primary will advance to the Nov. 3 general election.

The 32nd Legislative District includes the city of Shoreline along with part of northwest Seattle, Woodway and nearby areas of southwest Snohomish County, south Edmonds, the city of Lynnwood and a small part of Mountlake Terrace.

Peterson, Davis and Smilanich recently sent responses to the question, “What is the most important issue or issues that you are emphasizing in your campaign?” Here are those responses:

Legislative District 32, State Representative Pos. 2

Gray Petersen (Prefers Democratic Party)

Healthcare: We need to move to a single payer system on the state level until we achieve Medicare for All.

Housing: We need to build public housing and to pass a homes guarantee in Washington to end the evils of homelessness and housing insecurity.

Green New Deal: We need to embrace the ideals of the Green New Deal at the state level, and create good paying union jobs as we decarbonize and save our planet.

Tamra Smilanich (Prefers Non Partisan Party)

Voters have told me they want to be recognized as valuable stakeholders and to have more control in community outcomes, which I believe in. The track record I have in the public and private sectors, reflect the priorities many of you share and are working so hard at strengthening. The good news is, that your priorities are aligned for helping the common good, and I appreciate your support.

Lauren Davis (Prefers Democratic Party)

I am the only House member who serves on both the Health Care and Public Safety committees, so I am keenly focused on the coronavirus public health response and law enforcement reform. Health officials are predicting a significant rise in behavioral health needs, so I will also be working hard to ensure that everyone in need has access to quality mental health and addiction treatment in the wake of this pandemic.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com



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Candidate Forum: Valdez, Daranciang present different views on education in 46th District race

Friday, July 10, 2020

(Editor’s note: This is part of a series of responses to questions we’re sending to candidates running in the Aug. 4 primary election. We will present responses to our questions from candidates for state representative positions in the 32nd and 46th legislative districts. This question came from a reader. Send future questions for the candidates to schsmith@frontier.com)

Daranciang - Valdez

By Evan Smith

Incumbent Democratic State Rep. Javier Valdez and Republican challenger Beth Daranciang are stressing different views on education as they get ready to meet in the Aug. 4 primary and Nov. 3 general election. Valdez emphasizes new revenue sources that protect working-class families while wealthy citizens pay more. Daranciang looks at finding the most effective ways to use public money.

Democrat Valdez and Republican Daranciang are running in the 46th Legislative District, which includes Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and northwest Seattle.

With only two candidates on the primary ballot, both will qualify for the general-election ballot.

Valdez and Daranciang recently sent answers to the question, “How can legislators improve the way we pay for schools?” Here are their responses (presented in the order that their names will appear on the primary ballot and in the voters’ pamphlet):

Legislative District 46, State Representative Pos. 2

Javier Valdez (Prefers Democratic Party)

While the Legislature has made progress on the state's paramount duty to fund our public schools, we know we still need to make further investments to provide more nurses, counselors, social workers, and librarians in our schools. We need to look at new revenue policies that will shield our working-class families and focus on the wealthiest taxpayers that can pay more. It's also time to re-examine the over 700 tax exemptions our state allows.

Beth Daranciang (Prefers Republican Party)

The COVID-19 crisis has reinforced the importance of directing education efforts and funding to the most effective ways of educating our children, including empowering teachers to improvise in ways that fit their particular students.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com



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Candidate Forum: Three Democratic 32nd District opponents want more money for schools

Monday, July 6, 2020

(Editor’s note: This is part of a series of responses to questions we’re sending to candidates running in the Aug. 4 primary election. We will present responses to our questions from candidates for state representative positions in the 32nd and 46th legislative districts. This question came from a reader. Send future questions for the candidates to schsmith@frontier.com.)


Sutton - Smith - Ryu
By Evan Smith

The three Democrats opposing each other for a 32nd District legislative position all say that they want more money for public schools.

Incumbent Cindy Ryu and challenger Keith Smith both say that the state needs tax reform. 

Challenger Shirley Sutton suggests that the state should start its own bank to save money for schools.

Ryu, Smith and Sutton are running on the Aug. 4 ballot, with the top two candidates advancing to the Nov. 3 general election.

No Republicans or independents filed for the position.

The 32nd District includes Shoreline, part of northwest Seattle, Woodway and nearby unincorporated areas of southwest Snohomish County, south Edmonds, Lynnwood and a small part of Mountlake Terrace.

The three candidates recently sent responses to the question, “How can legislators improve the way we pay for schools?” Here are their responses (presented in the order that their names will appear on the primary ballot and in the voters' pamphlet):

Shirley Sutton (Prefers Democratic Party)

As a Legislator, I will not support funding charter schools. Our public schools need full funding to pay teachers a liveable wage and keep our schools open to educate our children, the next generation.

I support establishing a public bank in Washington state as we pay over one billion dollars to Wall Street for state debt. A state bank would save millions of dollars and keep our state profitable.

Keith Smith (Prefers Democratic Party)

Based on my time as a substitute teacher and a Guardian-ad-Litem visiting 32nd District schools, my top funding priorities are: Special education; paraeducators for 1-on-1 help; fulfilling individualized education plans; and implementing a decades old promise to limit class size.

We need an equitable tax structure to achieve these priorities. The wealthiest need to pay a proportional share of taxes. Educating Washington’s children within a supportive, fully-funded system is the foundation of Washington's successful future.

Cindy Ryu (Prefers Democratic Party)

I support tax reforms that will amply provide for the education of all youth in a way that is just, responsible, and equitable. The wealthy must step up and pay their fair share to support our public schools, colleges, and universities. I support a progressive capital-gains tax. I also support taxation based on net income, but we need a stronger, more progressive Democratic majority in both the House and the Senate.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.



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Candidate Forum: Brown, Pollet stress varied issues in 46th District race

Friday, July 3, 2020

(Editor’s note: This is part of a series of responses to questions we’re sending to candidates running in the Aug. 4 primary election. We will present responses to our questions from candidates for state representative positions in the 32nd and 46th legislative districts. After these general issue questions, future questions will come from readers. Send questions for the candidates to schsmith@frontier.com.)


Pollet - Brown
By Evan Smith

Incumbent Democratic State Rep. Gerry Pollet and Republican challenger Eric Brown stress different economic issues as they get ready to meet in the Aug. 4 primary and Nov. 3 general election.

Democrat Pollet is emphasizing tax fairness as a part of economic recovery; Republican Brown stresses education as the way to achieve economic independence.

Pollet and Brown are running for Position 1 in the 46th Legislative District, which includes Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and northwest Seattle.

With only two candidates on the primary ballot, both will qualify for the general-election ballot.

Pollet and Brown recently sent answers to the question, “What is the most important issue or issues that you are emphasizing in your campaign?” Here are their responses (presented in the order that their names will appear on the primary ballot and in the voters’ pamphlet):

Legislative District 46, State Representative Pos. 1

Gerry Pollet (Prefers Democratic Party)

We face unprecedented challenges to address racism and recovery from the worse economic downturn in our lives while preventing further spread of COVID-19 and losing more of our loved ones. State and local governments have lost a tremendous amount of revenue needed to provide essential services, healthcare, housing and education while more of our neighbors than ever before need our help. I’m working to make our tax system more fair to meet this challenge.

Eric J. Brown (Prefers Republican Party)

Education is just; Eric agrees with Booker T. Washington; blacks’ education equals economic independence. Therein levies are cruel, demanding minority families predominately living in poverty, must lift up kids with fashion bootstraps from higher income families. Elected officials staunchly oppose families getting federal money for education. In 2018 ed Choice found the median percentage of minority parents (75.5%) want tax allocations transferred from districts to parents; giving kids the benefit of better schools.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com





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Three Democrats stress health care, other issues in District 32 race

Monday, June 29, 2020

(Editor’s note: This is part of a series of responses to questions we’re sending to candidates running in the Aug. 4 primary election. We will present responses to our questions from candidates for state representative positions in the 32nd and 46th legislative districts. After these general issue questions, future questions will come from readers. Send questions for the candidates to schsmith@frontier.com.)


Sutton, Smith, Ryu


By Evan Smith

Incumbent State Rep. Cindy Ryu faces fellow Democrats Keith Smith and Shirley Sutton in the Aug. 4 primary election, with the two leaders advancing to the Nov. 3 general election. No Republicans or independents filed to run for the position.

Ryu, who is seeking a sixth two-year term; Smith, who lost to Ryu and a Republican in the 2018 primary; and Sutton, a former Lynnwood City Councilwoman; are running to represent the 32nd Legislative District, which includes Shoreline, part of northwest Seattle, Woodway and nearby unincorporated areas of southwest Snohomish County, south Edmonds, Lynnwood and a small part of Mountlake Terrace.

All three Democrats stress health care among other issues in the campaign.

The three recently sent answers to the question, “What is the most important issue or issues that you are emphasizing in your campaign?” Here are their responses (presented in the order that their names will appear on the primary ballot and in the voters’ pamphlet):

Shirley Sutton (Prefers Democratic Party)

Affordable Housing – I would support builders who build affordable housing on public lands, if necessary, given an ironclad guarantee that the project remain in the public domain.

Healthcare - Is a basic human right period! I would support a single payer system.

Tax Fairness - Low income people pay almost 20% of their income in taxes. Some big business and wealthy individuals none at all. We need to address the regressive taxes in the State

Keith Smith (Prefers Democratic Party)

Public health is the most important issue. Both the COVID crisis and policing. As an essential worker, I know businesses are not caring for the community. Appropriate pay, PPE, and sanitation will keep workers and the community healthy.

Fully funding our mental health and substance abuse treatment centers will keep police from being social workers. We will get people the treatments they need, and get the police to focus on violent crime, not social work.

Cindy Ryu (Prefers Democratic Party)

My priorities are rental assistance and best practices such as Rent Repayment Plans as both tenants and landlords weather and recover from this COVID-19 pandemic. I will continue to focus on protecting education funding, ensuring the safety of our communities, safeguarding the environment, infrastructure funding, and pushing for more affordable housing and home ownership, local businesses and jobs, and help make Washington state a better place for us to live, work, and raise our families.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.



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Candidate Forum: Valdez, Daranciang stress different issues in District 46 race

Sunday, June 28, 2020

(Editor’s note: This is part of a series of responses to questions we’re sending to candidates running in the Aug. 4 primary election. We will present responses to our questions from candidates for state representative positions in the 32nd and 46th legislative districts. After these general issue questions, future questions will come from readers. Send questions for the candidates to schsmith@frontier.com)


Daranciang and Valdez
By Evan Smith

Incumbent Democratic State Rep. Javier Valdez and Republican challenger Beth Daranciang emphasize different issues in their campaign for a state representative position in the 46th Legislative District.

Valdez says that the most important issue is public safety, while Daranciang says that the most important issue is legislative accountability.

Daranciang and Valdez will meet in both the Aug. 4 primary and the Nov. 3 general election. With only two candidates for the position, both will qualify for the general election. Partisan offices appear on both the primary ballot and general-election ballot even when there are only one or two candidates.

The 46th Legislative District includes Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and northeast Seattle.

Valdez and Daranciang recently sent answers to this question: “What is the most important issue or issues that you are you emphasizing in your campaign?

Here are their responses (presented in the order that their names will appear on the primary ballot and in the voters’ pamphlet):

Javier Valdez (Prefers Democratic Party)

COVID has hit our healthcare system and economy hard. As we recover, I’ll prioritize keeping our families safe and secure while rebuilding our economy.

We must continue to address our current public safety practices and the rise in hate crimes in our region and state, ensuring that black, indigenous, and people of color no longer feel threatened and targeted because of the color of their skin, background, or immigration status.

Beth Daranciang (Prefers Republican Party)

Many voters, like me, have been ignored by our state representatives. We feel unheard as politicians pass tax increases, but not effective homelessness plans.

We’re dismayed by harmful bills passed by the single-party-dominated legislature, including this year’s radical sexuality education bill opposed by thousands of Washington residents.

If elected, I will protect your right to be heard and will protect the rights of the most vulnerable, especially our children.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com



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Candidate Forum: 32nd District Pos. 2 candidates introduce themselves

Friday, June 26, 2020

(Editor’s note: This is part of a series of responses to questions we’re sending to candidates running in the Aug. 4 primary election. We will present responses to our questions from candidates for state representative positions in the 32nd and 46th legislative districts. After these introductory questions, we’ll have issue questions for all candidates, with future questions coming from readers. Send questions for the candidates to schsmith@frontier.com.)

Smilanich, Petersen, Davis


By Evan Smith

Democrat Gray Petersen and non-partisan candidate Tamra Smilanich are challenging incumbent 32nd Legislative District Democratic State Rep. Lauren Davis in the Aug. 4 primary election.

The top two candidates in the primary qualify for the Nov. 3 general election.

No Republicans have filed for a place on 32nd District ballots.

The 32nd Legislative District includes Shoreline, part of northwest Seattle, Woodway and nearby unincorporated areas of southwest Snohomish County, south Edmonds, Lynnwood and a small part of Mountlake Terrace.

The three candidates recently sent responses to the question: “What is your background for this position?”

Here are the responses from Peterson, Smilanich and Davis, presented in the order their names will appear on the ballot and in the voters’ pamphlet:

Legislative District 32, State Representative Pos. 2

Gray Petersen (Prefers Democratic Party)


I’ve resided in Lynnwood for 13 years, in Washington for nearly 20. I’ve been an activist both inside of the Democratic Party, and outside of it in activism on the Green New Deal, Medicare for All, and for Housing for All. Before I was involved in those movements, I was involved in LGBTQIA+ rights movements. I’ve worked as customer support representative, and now I’m a working-class essential worker as a career in the telecommunications industry.

Tamra Smilanich (Prefers Non Partisan Party)


Ms. Smilanich has a background in working in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Serving clients in various capacities, Ms. Smilanich has worked with diverse groups of people, which includes individuals with disabilities, cultural/ethnic backgrounds, criminal and substance-abuse backgrounds and international business owners and our active duty military personnel. Some of the more recent milestones include Ms. Smilanich's contract work in local public and private schools and her full time practice in negotiating housing contracts.

Lauren Davis (Prefers Democratic Party)


In my first term as State Representative, I passed nine bills across four areas: health care, mental health, criminal legal system reform and protections for domestic violence survivors. In my career, I have taught Head Start preschool, researched education policy as a Fulbright Scholar in West Africa, worked in international development at the Gates Foundation, directed school-based mental health and suicide prevention programs, and run a behavioral health nonprofit.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com



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Candidate Forum: 32nd District Pos. 1 candidates introduce themselves

Saturday, June 20, 2020

(Editor’s note: This is part of a series of responses to questions we’re sending to candidates running in the Aug. 4 primary election. We will present responses to our questions from candidates for state representative positions in the 32nd and 46th legislative districts. After these introductory questions, we’ll have issue questions for all candidates, with future questions coming from readers. Send questions for the candidates to schsmith@frontier.com.)


Shirley Sutton, Keith Smith, Cindy Ryu


By Evan Smith

Democratic 32nd District incumbent State Rep. Cindy Ryu faces two fellow Democrats, Keith Smith and Shirley Sutton, on the Aug. 4 primary-election ballot.

Smith, of Lynnwood, lost to Ryu and a Republican in the 2018 primary. Sutton is a former Lynnwood city council member. Ryu is a former Shoreline City Council member.

The 32nd Legislative District includes Shoreline, part of northwest Seattle, Woodway and nearby unincorporated areas of southwest Snohomish County, south Edmonds, Lynnwood and a small part of Mountlake Terrace.

The top two candidates in the primary, regardless of party, qualify for the Nov. 3 general-election ballot. With no Republicans or independents running, the top-two primary is certain to produce a Democrat vs. Democrat general election.

The three Democrats recently introduced themselves with their answers to this question: What is your background for this position? Here are their responses presented in the order their names will appear on the primary ballot and in the voters’ pamphlet:

Legislative District 32, State Representative Pos. 1

Shirley Sutton (Prefers Democratic Party)


At Burlington Northern Railroad I gained experience in management and labor relations, developing strong mediation skills. I have a BA in law and justice, MA in education, worked in the Yakima Public Schools and Yakima Valley Community College. I directed adult basic education and coordinated school-to-work training with area high schools. At Edmonds Community College, I served as Director of Diversity Affairs and taught diversity and cultural trainings.

Keith Smith (Prefers Democratic Party)


I have lived in the 32nd district for the last 21 years. I am a graduate of Brier Terrace Middle, Mountlake Terrace High, Shoreline CC, and CWU-Lynnwood. I officiate high and middle school athletics within the district. I volunteer extensively within the district (Holly House, Old Dog Haven, Beck’s Place, Snohomish County Juvenile Court). I am a substitute teacher. And as a grocer, I am an essential worker in the fight against COVID-19.

Cindy Ryu (Prefers Democratic Party)


I have lived in North Seattle, Shoreline, Lynnwood and Edmonds since 1976 and raised 3 children who attended Edmonds and Shoreline Schools. I have extensive work history since I was 12 years old, including nursing assistant, medical transcriptionist, Management Systems Analyst / Records Manager for City of Seattle, Allstate Insurance Agent, Shoreline City Councilmember and Mayor. As State Representative, I chair the Housing, Community Development and Veterans Committee. MBA and BS in Microbiology from UW.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.



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Candidate Forum: 46th District Pos. 1 candidates introduce themselves

Thursday, June 18, 2020

(Editor’s note: This is the second installment in a series of responses to questions we’re sending to candidates running in the Aug. 4 primary election. These responses from candidates for 46th District State Representative Position 1 follow the previous article for 46th District State Representative Position 2. Next, we’ll have introductory questions for candidates for the two state representative positions in the 32nd Legislative District; then we’d have issue questions for all candidates, with future questions coming from readers. Send questions for the candidates to schsmith@frontier.com.)



Pollet and Brown


By Evan Smith

Democratic 46th District incumbent State Rep. Gerry Pollet will face Republican Eric J. Brown in the Aug. 4 primary and Nov. 3 general election.

With only two candidates running in the primary, both Pollet and Brown will qualify for November from the top-two primary.

The 46th District includes Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and northeast Seattle,

Both Pollet and Brown recently introduced themselves with answers to this question: “What is your background for this position?” Here are their 75-word responses, presented in the order their names will appear on the primary ballot and in the voters’ pamphlet.

Legislative District 46, State Representative Pos. 1

What is your background for this position?


Gerry Pollet (Prefers Democratic Party)

I’ve been honored to represent the 46th District since 2011. I’m also on the UW School of Public Health faculty –which is so important this year as I help lead an evidence- and public-health- based response to COVID-19. My commitment to openness and being accessible to you is reflected in being the only legislator who holds in-district drop in discussions every Saturday during Session and monthly throughout the year. See more at gerrypollet.com

Eric J. Brown (Prefers Republican Party)

Early in Eric's career he was administrative assistant in the administration of the president of the United States. In that role, Eric gained experience with intergovernmental collaboration and how it serves diverse communities.

He then played numerous academic support roles; certified security professional the longest. Working with students from a wide range of academic, learning and economic levels. Eric's vision is to vastly improve the quality of education for all.


Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.



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