Despite Jim Moeller leaving office after 14 years in the Legislature, voters in the 49th District are likely to retain strong representation.
The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends a vote for Democrat Alishia Topper or Democrat Monica Stonier in a four-person primary race that also includes Republicans Carolyn Crain and Wade McLaren. They are hoping to replace Moeller as state representative from the 49th District, Position 2. While McLaren was unable to attend a recent meeting with the editorial board, Topper, Stonier, and Crain all have demonstrated through interviews and past experience that they would be capable and attentive representatives.
As always, this is merely a recommendation. The Columbian trusts that voters will examine the candidates and the issues before casting an informed ballot in what has the potential to be a close race between several qualified candidates.
Topper, who works as director of strategic partnerships for Vancouver Public Schools, is a member of the Vancouver City Council. On the council, she has been a leader in efforts to deal with the city’s growing homeless problem and a lack of affordable housing, demonstrating the desire and ability to tackle difficult problems. She has been endorsed by several current and former city council members.
On the issues, when it comes to paying for K-12 education, Topper says, “I don’t believe we’re going to be able fully fund education without new revenue. But I know taxes aren’t popular.” She also says, “I think climate change is one of the largest issues facing us,” and supports Initiative 732 on the November ballot as “a good start.”
Stonier, who represented the 17th District for one term before losing a bid for re-election, recently moved into the 49th District, which led Topper to say, “It’s very important to elect people who know the district.” Stonier has worked as a middle school teacher and currently is an instructional coach at Pacific Middle School, saying her background would benefit constituents in discussions about school funding. She agrees that the Legislature might have to “examine different revenue streams” to fund education.
Stonier supports the carbon tax of Initiative 732, saying, “It’s the only opportunity we have to move in the right direction.” And she is in favor of a new Interstate 5 Bridge that eventually includes light rail, saying that an appropriate middle ground for now is a structure with light-rail capability. She long has had strong support from teachers unions and labor organizations.
Crain is a much-involved community activist who frequently attends council meetings and is well-versed on the issues. While she is a Republican, she has led a countermovement against the local Republican Party and its dig-in-your-heels politics. “I absolutely hold to a line of what is ethical, what is honorable, and what is best for the people,” she said.
She prefers the development of a third, west-side bridge across the Columbia River rather than a replacement for the I-5 Bridge; she says that discussions about education policy need to involve more than simply increased funding; and she writes that, “Currently we have several departments in our state that are causing direct negative impacts on our economic development through the use of regulations.” She also says that aging care and issues would be among her focal points.
In a crowded field, The Columbian believes that Topper and Stonier are the strongest candidates to represent the 49th District in Olympia.
