In a three-person race for 17th Legislative District Representative, Position 2, The Columbian’s Editorial Board believes that Democrat Terri Niles and Republican David Stuebe are the strongest candidates. We recommend a vote for one of them in the Aug. 6 primary.
As always, this is merely a recommendation, designed to provide information and foster discussion. We trust that voters will examine the candidates and the issues before casting an informed ballot. In a race that does not include an incumbent — longtime Rep. Paul Harris is running for the state Senate — such homework is particularly important.
In Niles, voters will find a candidate who has worked for 25 years as an intensive care nurse and promotes herself as “the only pro-choice candidate” in the race. She takes a progressive view of most issues but, importantly, demonstrates a deep understanding of those issues and the ability to debate them on their merits.
Niles told the Editorial Board that she opposes ballot initiatives that would overturn programs adopted by the Legislature. For example, in discussing Initiative 2109 — which would repeal a capital gains tax — she says, “The programs we’re going to lose if 2109 passes, that is going to hurt people.”
Regarding an initiative to repeal the state’s Climate Commitment Act, Niles notes that funding from carbon pricing supports forest protection, salmon recovery, culvert reconstruction and various other environmental programs.
Regardless of whether voters agree with Niles on the initiatives, she demonstrates a firm understanding of what they would do and a willingness to debate the underlying issues.
Stuebe, the mayor of Washougal, takes a different approach to his candidacy. He is personally engaging and says his career in the military and work as mayor has prepared him to collaborate with others to find solutions.
Stuebe is not as well-informed on the issues as the other candidates; for example, he says he does not know enough about the capital gains tax to render on opinion on I-2109. But he leaves the impression that he is willing and able to learn about the issues involved.
Regarding problems surrounding affordable housing and homelessness, Stuebe focuses on underlying drug abuse and mental health issues, but does not offer a proposal for increasing housing construction.
The third candidate in the race, Republican Hannah Joy, has served as state director of operations for Let’s Go Washington, the organization that is promoting initiatives to repeal the capital gains tax and the Climate Commitment Act while undermining the WA Cares Act (a provision for long-term health care). Joy often echoes right-wing talking points, saying schools “are more concerned with what’s between students’ legs” and that bringing light rail into Clark County would be a highway for drug trafficking. She also makes clear that she would support anti-abortion measures.
Joy’s fears likely will resonate with many voters, but they too often reflect a simplistic, idealistic vision rather than realistic efforts to solve what ails Washington. Niles and Stuebe demonstrate the ability to work with other lawmakers and to examine all sides of an issue and how it will impact residents. To that end, they each promote their ability to connect with constituents, and those claims that come across as authentic.
The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends a vote for either Terri Niles or David Stuebe for representative from the 17th Legislative District, Position 2.
