Candidates for Washington’s Second Congressional Seat stray from hard-set party platforms on a few issues.

Incumbent Rick Larsen, a Democrat, has been critical of President  Barack Obama for his use of military action, including the recent Syrian air attacks, without Congressional oversight.

“If we’re really going to do this well and down the road be able to do it again, it’s important that the executive branch and the legislative branch get on the same page,” Larsen said last week.

Republican challenger BJ Guillot said he believes the president is operating within the parameters of his position.

“He has the right to do it, it gives him the ability,” Guillot said. “If he believes there’s an imminent threat, he can use force.”

While Congress doesn’t have the power to stop the president-ordered military action, it could vote to cut off the funding for the operation, a move Guillot said he would support.

Despite representing a primarily liberal state in which voters legalized marijuana, Larsen said he isn’t in favor of legalizing marijuana at a federal level, but just wanted to “get out of the way” of the new legislation.

Guillot said he has no issues with marijuana as long as people follow the laws and pay the appropriate taxes. Guillot said he would support a federal legalization if elected.

Larsen, a supporter of the oil and gas rail industry, has called for increased regulation and support for the country’s railway systems.

“Moving goods and people safely and efficiently creates jobs and keeps our economy strong,” Larsen said in a prepared release. “Washington state’s trade in products from airplane parts to apples means we need a robust transportation system, including railways.”

Guillot said he isn’t in favor of the coal or oil trains. He conceded that “may sound strange coming from a Republican.”

Increased train traffic would translate into roadblocks on major highways, he said, explaining why he’s not supportive of the industry.

“I believe it would cause way too much traffic.”

Both Larsen and Guillot agree that Whidbey Island Naval Air Station should be the home to the controversial EA-18G Growlers and that Outlying Field Coupeville should continue to be used for training.

They are also both supportive of protecting Washington’s environmental resources.

On the issues of immigration, gun control and balancing the budget, however, they align more with their respective parties.

Guillot said he doesn’t favor amnesty, but rather would like to see the immigration process simplified.

“I want to ensure the borders are secure,” he said. “I think there are ways we can expedite the immigration. It’s a very long and costly process now.

“We need to take a long look at it and see how we can speed it up.”

Larsen said he supports a path to citizenship that would allow amnesty to those who are currently living illegally in this country.

During his tenure, Larsen said he has supported three attempts to reform immigration.

“I’m on my third iteration of immigration reform,” Larsen said. “It’s frustrating to me that we can’t get the ball over the line on that issue.”

Guillot said he supports a fair-tax model, one which would eliminate all payroll taxes and create a type of national sales tax based on consumption.

Larsen, who supports the current progressive tax system, said he believes a fair tax is simply “a way to shrink the size of government and not solve any of the problems.”

Larsen said he also disagrees with Guillot’s support of a Constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget, explaining he believes it would limit the government’s ability to respond to a crisis.

“What I want to see is the United States having a balanced budget,” Guillot said. “It’s gonna take some work to get to that, but it should be a goal.”

Larsen said there are more practical ways to keep in check government spending.

A supporter of pro-background-check legislation, Larsen said he supports tighter gun control, particularly with regard to larger weapons such as assault rifles. That, he said, should be a priority.

Guillot, a gun owner himself, said he supports the right to carry a gun.

“We don’t need background checks,” Guillot said. “The constitution clearly states that we have the right to keep and bear arms, and I fully support that.

“I’m a gun owner, and I’m proud to be a gun owner.”