Amid a long list of state executive positions on the November ballot, The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends Steve Hobbs for secretary of state and Patty Kuderer for insurance commissioner.
As always, these are merely recommendations, designed to generate discussion and provide information. The Columbian trusts that voters will study the candidates and the issues before casting an informed ballot.
- In the race for secretary of state, Hobbs is a Democratic incumbent who has demonstrated effective performance and the credentials to meet the challenges of a changing role. Hobbs served 14 years as a state senator before being appointed to succeed Republican Kim Wyman as secretary of state; Wyman resigned to serve in the Biden administration.
The secretary of state serves as Washington’s top election official, a position that has drawn increased scrutiny in recent years amid questions about election security.
In the Voters’ Pamphlet, Hobbs writes: “Since 2021, I’ve safeguarded the integrity of our elections by investing in cyber and physical security, fighting malicious election disinformation, and providing eligible voters every ability to participate in our democratic process.” Those are not empty platitudes; they are accurate depictions of Hobbs’ work.
In May 2023, Hobbs authorized a no-bid $272,838 contract with London-based firm Locally to monitor election misinformation on X, Facebook and other social media. The goal is to help the secretary of state’s office draw public attention to false election claims.
Challenger Dale Whitaker, a Republican, has made that contract a central piece of his campaign. According to Cascade PBS, he said: “There is a level of distrust with the current secretary of state. I’m going to tear up that contract when I take office. It instills fear in a lot of folks.”
Hobbs, however, has served in the U.S. Army and is a lieutenant colonel and public information officer in the Washington National Guard. His experience with cybersecurity in those roles has prepared him for the modern challenges of election misinformation.
- In the contest for an open seat as state insurance commissioner, both Kuderer (a Democrat) and Republican Phil Fortunato have 10 years of experience in the Legislature. They are vying to succeed Mike Kreidler, who is retiring after six terms in office.
With decades of experience as a trial attorney, Kuderer writes, “With my experience as a litigator representing workers in employment discrimination cases and my strong background in advocacy and public service, I bring a unique set of qualifications to the role of insurance commissioner.”
Fortunato writes, “Misguided activist policies of the Legislature and the Insurance Commissioner have limited choice and made insurance unaffordable.” He also expresses concern that Kuderer would urge the Legislature to require insurance for gun owners.
Kuderer is stressing the need to educate consumers regarding insurance options; Fortunato is emphasizing a need to foster competition between companies to better serve consumers.
The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends Steve Hobbs for secretary of state and Patty Kuderer for insurance commissioner.
