Baker, Ryu and Kagi endorsed in the 32nd District legislative races

WRITING budgets and passing laws in Olympia have their own learning curves, but the process relies on the experience and expertise of the legislators dispatched by voters.

Here are three strong candidates in District 32, which covers northwest King and southwest Snohomish counties, and includes Edmonds, Woodway, Shoreline, Kenmore and Lake Forest Park.

Republican David Baker, mayor of Kenmore, is a solid choice to replace state Sen. Darlene Fairley, who did not seek re-election. Fairley, a Democrat from Lake Forest Park, has served in the Senate since 1995.

Baker has been mayor or deputy mayor for the past seven years. He and the Kenmore City Council have not raised property taxes and even cut the city's utility tax. Kenmore's new City Hall was paid for with savings. Lean government and tight finances require a purposeful effort and skeptical management. Olympia is ready for both.

Baker is running against Democratic state Rep. Maralyn Chase, of Shoreline, and Patty Butler, also a Democrat from Shoreline. Butler served one term in the Legislature 12 years ago. Chase's combative, partisan reputation always precedes her.

Baker's political and budgetary skills, honed close to where voters live, is the best choice.

Chase's run for the Senate opens up her Position 1 House seat. Again the endorsement goes to a candidate with substantial local experience on community issues: Democrat Cindy Ryu, a former mayor of Shoreline. Ryu is a small-business owner and former president of the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce. She lost re-election to the council in 2009 by roughly 150 votes. Ryu is an advocate for fiscal discipline and bolstering the economy with work-force training.

The other candidates include Republican Art Coday, of Shoreline, who withdrew from the U.S. Senate race when Dino Rossi declared his candidacy. Also on the ballot is Democrat Doris Fujioka McConnell, who serves on the Shoreline City Council and has a laudable civic résumé. Coday, a medical doctor, is a blank slate with voters.

In the race for Position 2, incumbent Democratic state Rep. Ruth Kagi is the only choice. Kagi, who chairs the Early Learning and Children's Services Committee, is an outstanding legislator. She has developed respected expertise on issues related to the education and care of Washington's youngest citizens.

Her advice and leadership on tough budget choices, especially for the state's most vulnerable populations, could not be more timely or valuable. Republican challenger Gary Gagliardi and Democrat Stan Lippmann are not credible options.