Sen. Lynda Wilson’s retirement from the Legislature brings forth many thoughts — about both her role as a lawmaker and about politics in general.
It also brings forth a reason to review what The Columbian’s Editorial Board wrote in recommending Wilson during her first Senate candidacy, after two years in the House of Representatives: “Many voters will disagree with Wilson on a number of issues, but she is authentic in spelling out her positions and articulating them well.”
Eight years later, that assessment seems prescient. As a conservative, Wilson has stood as a bulwark against the worst proclivities of Democrats in Olympia; as a member of the minority party — a party that has shrunk in influence during her tenure — she has served as a much-needed dissenting voice while largely avoiding the culture wars that frequently are mistaken for leadership.
Most importantly, Wilson rose to the position of ranking member (leader of the minority party) on the Senate Ways & Means Committee, becoming the lead Republican budget writer in the Senate. The position carries relatively little power in a Legislature dominated by Democrats, but Wilson ensured that contrarian voices were heard as lawmakers decided how to spend taxpayers’ money.
Yet, we do not come today solely to praise Lynda Wilson. We also are taken by a quote from Denny Heck, a Democrat who as lieutenant governor serves as president of the Senate.
“She has been a principled conservative and has maintained the capacity to work across party lines,” Heck told The Columbian in an email. “I was privileged to work with her at a small credit union in Vancouver 45 years ago, and I have been equally privileged to work together again the last four years. She bravely fought and defeated cancer while continuing to serve, an inspiration to all. I wish her well in her retirement.”
In contrast, we are reminded of when Gov. Jay Inslee announced last year that he would not seek a fourth term. The Washington State Republican Party quickly issued a statement saying, in part: “It’s time to turn the page on the disastrous Inslee era . . . For over a decade, Governor Inslee has taken our state in the wrong direction.”
Voters apparently disagreed, electing Inslee three times by increasingly large margins. As Columbian columnist Greg Jayne wrote: “Republicans could have essentially said, ‘Inslee has served the state faithfully for three terms, but somebody from our party can do better if you give us a chance.’ Instead, they could not avoid the toxicity that has become increasingly ingrained in the Republican Party. That toxicity tends to poison their candidates at the ballot box; there is a reason Washington currently has no Republicans in statewide office.”
It is a sad commentary on American politics that Wilson’s penchant for avoiding toxicity is enough to warrant praise. On the other hand, her predecessor as senator from the 17th District was Don Benton.
In addition to trying to place checks on state spending, Wilson has promoted bills to support victims of domestic violence, help the state deal with a fentanyl crisis and demand transparency from government.
And while the Editorial Board has disagreed with her on many issues — including her opposition to gun control and her embrace of misinformation in opposing vaccine measures — she has earned respect by being principled but not bombastic.
It should serve as a lesson for all politicians.
