The nation’s longest-serving lieutenant governor announced his retirement earlier this year, spurring a handful of candidates to run for the second-highest position in the state. The race is now down to two candidates with very different backgrounds vying for the position.
Democrat Sen. Cyrus Habib of Bellevue and conservative talk show host and real-estate agent Marty McClendon mostly agree on the most basic duties of the lieutenant governor: serving as the president of the Senate, presiding over the upper chamber, filling in for the governor when needed and understanding the parliamentary rules and procedures that ensure fairness.
The position also serves as a tiebreaker when needed.
“I’m a rare species of legislative nerd that enjoys parliamentary process,” Habib said during a wide-ranging interview with The Columbian’s editorial board on Wednesday.
But from there, they note the role could be expanded in a variety of ways.
Habib, an Ivy League-educated Iranian-American who lost his eyesight to cancer at age 8, said he would like to ensure the lieutenant governor works more closely with the governor. He also believes the position should cultivate relationships across the region.
“I think there are a number of ways Washington and Oregon should continue to work together. … Take for example, if there were work on the (Columbia River Crossing),” Habib said.
Habib, who served on the Transportation Committee with Sens. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, and Ann Rivers, R-La Center, said he disagreed with their stance on the now-defunct bridge project. The state senator would also change the way trade missions are funded. Current Lt. Gov. Brad Owen has carved out a reputation for leading international trade missions. Habib said it remains an important part of the job, but he would not accept private dollars.
“If it’s truly work in the public interest, make the case to budget writers,” he said. Or he suggested the creation of a blind trust that would allow businesses to donate anonymously. He also said trade missions should be the culmination of relationship-building with other countries, not the starting point.
McClendon, an Eagle Scout, believes the office could help create great synergy working with the state’s other top officials, state agencies and help rein in government and ensure there aren’t redundancies. He also views part of the job as being a leader when it comes to important policy conversations taking place in the Legislature.
McClendon, who said the National Rifle Association endorsed him, would not prohibit people from carrying firearms in the upper chamber.
“I think it’s a God-given right to defend yourself,” he said, adding later, “Who am I to take away their constitutional rights for them to carry anywhere?”
Habib called the Legislature a “target-rich environment.”
“There are people with serious mental health issues that are set off by issues,” he said.
“Just like is the case in county buildings and city halls and federal buildings all over this country, it’s a very basic, reasonable step (to have a place to check firearms),” Habib said.
