Labor Day’s over and the political season is on! Ballots appear in about six weeks; we’ll have 20 positions and several measures to vote on.
I believe that citizens in a democracy have a duty to have good reasons for their vote, so I would like to offer my reasons for some unusual votes, and a few endorsements. This week, our representatives in Congress, the Senate and House.
In the U.S. Senate race, the Republicans have finally nominated a candidate I can get behind: Michael Baumgartner, a veteran foreign service officer in economics who served in our Baghdad embassy and earned commendations from General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker. He’s now a successful international consultant with valuable experience that we should tap. Maybe I’m biased because he has an MPA from Harvard, same as my son; Michael earned it much younger.
I’ve received very lackluster service from the current senator’s office [Maria Cantwell]; she’s a native Indianan who prefers the other Washington. Michael was born in eastern Washington and loves living in Seattle. He’s right when he says “The Senate hasn’t passed a budget in three years. D.C. is broken.” He is right when he declares it is time to bring our troops home and rebuild the economy. Let’s elect a Washingtonian to represent us!
In the U.S. House District 6 race, I’m unhappy with both candidates. I’m writing in the name of Jesse Young, a self-made successful businessman who grew up poor, even homeless, in Tacoma. He worked his way to a Notre Dame degree in MIS and started a company that helps people. A member of the Navy League, he understand our region’s importance on the Pacific Rim. He should be encouraged to run again.
For our last vote on 1st District House member (one-month term), I endorse John Koster, a recognized leader in the state House and in Snohomish County, who grew up there. A hard-working family farmer, he is against more federal debt and is not a Tea Partyer. Let us honor his service with this stint in Congress. He ran first in the August primary in our county.
Consider your options and be sure to vote!
Fred Springsteel
Poulsbo
