Conard has edge in experience
Tenth Legislative District voters have only one contested race on next Tuesday’s primary ballot, but at least it’s a good one.
On the Democratic ballot, Ginal Bull and Nancy Conard are both seeking the Position 1 seat in the State House made available when Barry Sehlin decided not to seek another term. The winner of the Democratic primary will go on to face Republican Chris Strow in the general election. Strow is unopposed in the primary.
Democrats have two outstanding candidates to choose from in Conard and Bull.
Conard is the retired business manager for the Coupeville School District and is presently serving her third term as the elected mayor of Coupeville.
Bull is dean of students at an Oak Harbor middle school, is active in union and school affairs and she and her family are deeply involved in community and Navy activities. If any Democrat could ever win a majority of votes in Oak Harbor, it’s Gina Bull.
Bull is dedicated, she’s an extremely hard worker, and she knows Olympia, having represented union issues there many times, and her father is an influential member of the House. She would instantly feel comfortable in the capitol’s marble halls.
Conard also has much experience in Olympia, representing her town in land use issues and working closely with another Democrat, Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, on various ways to improve Whidbey Island.
While both candidates are outstanding, the edge in experience goes to Conard. Her time as mayor of a small town has given her intimate experience with the nuts and bolts things that are important to islanders — good streets and roads, plentiful open space, quality sewer systems, and the need for more state funding to pay for all those mandates.
On education, Conard’s experience is invaluable. She represented the school district in negotiations with the unions, so she knows both sides of the issues. She’s balanced many budgets, for both the school district and the town, and she knows how critically important this is. Bull, as a long-time union representative, might lack the objectivity that Conard can bring to educational issues.
Overall, Conard looks like the best candidate, but Bull too would make a fine state representative for Democrats.
Sinclair deserves shot at Larsen
Island County Auditor Suzanne Sinclair is one of three Republicans with the unenviable hope of going against Democrat Rick Larsen in the race for U.S. Congress from the Second Congressional District.
Now seeking his third term, Larsen has been in Congress long enough that the big money is lined up behind him. As of last quarter, Larsen had a campaign bankroll of more than $1.2 million. Sinclair had a measly $37,000, which was better than either of her two primary opponents combined.
Beating Larsen may be a long shot, but Sinclair deserves the opportunity. Hers is a personal success story, as she went to college to earn her CPA degree later in life, then was part owner of an accounting firm in Freeland, and eventually won the election in Island County. All the while she’s been a good citizen, actively involved in her community, and, if elected to Congress, she could represent her district well.
Once the primary is over, Sinclair may be able to chip away at Larsen, particularly if the Republican Party starts sending more money her way. Larsen’s not invulnerable, and if President Bush has long coattails, Sinclair could benefit. Of the three Republicans in the primary, she’s easily the best suited to put up a fight in the general election.
County judges deserve support
Island County Superior Court Judges Alan Hancock and Vickie Churchill are unopposed in the primary election, and as a result are sure to win re-election. But we can show our appreciation by giving them an resounding “yes” vote in Tuesday’s elections.
Both judges made time in their busy schedules to appear at League of Women Voters Candidates Night in Oak Harbor. That alone showed they care about their community. And they told some interesting tales about how their case load has grown over the years, while their budget has not. The judges are doing much more with less, which is what many voters like to see. Since 1989 their caseload has grown 69 percent, but each case is still handled with the utmost care. As Hancock said, “Every case, every person, every issue, is important to us.”
The judges work closely with the Juvenile Court, have implemented a juvenile family therapy program, and can order mandatory mediation in family law. Churchill drew a big laugh but also hearty applause when someone grumpily asked why they are not opposed in this election. “Because we’re very good!,” she shot back.
