Editor,

Helen Price Johnson has the right stuff to be our state senator. I have known Helen for over 30 years, since the days she campaigned for good-government with her youngest child in a backpack. I worked with Helen while she was on the South Whidbey School Board and as an Island County commissioner.

Helen has always been a champion of the families, the local communities, small businesses, seniors, veterans, and farmers that she represents. She has owned a small business with her husband for 25 years, and knows what it takes to keep a business running and employees paid.

Helen is a fiscally responsible leader, and helped steer Island County through the great recession of 2008-2010. She and her colleagues made the tough decisions necessary to maintain essential county services by cutting government spending by 20%, and she shared the sacrifice of other employees by donating back part of her salary.

Now Helen is leading a regional task force to help our communities, families and small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has worsened problems many of our residents have faced for a long time, and as a Senator, Helen will double down on her support for more affordable housing and better access to health care.

I know what it takes to be a good senator for the 10th Legislative District, and Helen Price Johnson definitely has the right stuff.

Mary Margaret Haugen, former state senator

10th District

Camano Island