Republican Greg Cheney and Democrat Adrian Cortes have differing political viewpoints, but they clearly are the best choices in the race for state senator from the 18th Legislative District. The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends a vote for Cheney or Cortes in the Aug. 6 primary.
As always, this is merely a recommendation, designed to foster discussion and provide information. The Columbian trusts that voters will study the candidates and the issues before casting an informed vote for the seat held by Ann Rivers, who is not seeking reelection.
Cheney has served one term as a state representative and takes a thoughtful approach to legislation. Notably, he has the support of current or recent lawmakers such as Rivers, Lynda Wilson, Peter Abbarno, Larry Hoff and Brandon Vick — people who understand what is required to be an effective legislator.
Having served on the board for the National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwest Washington and being a longtime member of the Battle Ground Planning Commission, Cheney has valuable insight to the crucial issues of mental health and housing. “These experiences have given me a good sense of what needs to be done in Olympia,” he said at a recent candidate forum.
During an interview with the Editorial Board, Cheney demonstrated a deep understanding of complex issues. Rather than simply saying Washington has a child care shortage, he speculated about adjusting siting limitations, providing incentives to attract workers and supporting tax incentives for companies that help employees pay for child care. Affordable and available child care is important for luring workers to the labor market, and Cheney effectively examines all angles of the issue.
He takes the same approach in discussing mental health, education, and a proposed Interstate 5 Bridge, focusing on how those issues impact working families, how much they will cost and how the state can develop workers to help the private sector thrive. In one example, he supports an initiative on the November ballot to repeal the Climate Commitment Act, claiming “it is driving inflation.”
Cortes, who works as a special education teacher and is a member of the Battle Ground City Council, also takes a thoughtful approach but often reaches different conclusions. He told the Editorial Board, “Inflation is not being driven up by the CCA; that’s a red herring.” He noted that inflation has been a national issue.
While Cheney did not provide a firm answer on whether he will vote to repeal Washington’s capital gains tax, Cortes notes that money from the tax helps fund child care initiatives and that such programs “unleash the economic potential of those parents.”
In discussing affordable housing, Cortes emphasizes the need to improve the permitting process, and he favors the construction of multifamily housing to increase density in urban areas.
The approach of Cheney and Cortes is preferable to that of the third candidate in the race, Brad Benton, who is the son of longtime legislator Don Benton.
Brad Benton said his work schedule precluded him from meeting with the Editorial Board, but his campaign materials provide some insight. On his website, he writes, “I’m fed up with politicians who just go along to get along, aren’t you?” and adds “I will never vote for a tax increase, under any circumstances, period!”
Actually, voters should be fed up with politicians who take strident positions without giving some thought to the issues. Greg Cheney and Adrian Cortes have earned the recommendation of The Columbian’s Editorial Board.
