Denny Heck's the right choice for Washington's 3rd Congressional District

THE 3rd Congressional District of Southwest Washington is hurting badly. Unemployment rates are highest in the state. The next member of Congress must be both experienced and smart about economic issues. That describes Denny Heck.

Of all the candidates interviewed this year, Heck, a Democrat, presented some of the most thoughtful answers. He appropriately called the Iraq war the worst foreign-policy mistake in 40 years. On the war in Afghanistan, he is clear-eyed about the need to assess America's chances to achieve legitimate foreign policy-success or get out in reasonable fashion.

In recent months, Heck has talked nonstop about jobs — offering ideas such as an investment tax credit for American-made industrial machinery and extending soon-to-expire tax reductions to companies that "net add" employees. He strongly favors a new Columbia River crossing to stimulate the economy and bolster ports.

Heck knows a thing or two about government, having served four terms in the state House of Representatives, as House majority leader, and chief of staff to Gov. Booth Gardner.

His Republican opponent, Jaime Herrera, has been in the Legislature three years and worked as an aide to Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Listening to Herrera speak in coached sound bites, it is clear she needs more seasoning before seeking a job at this level.

If you don't know Heck, perhaps you are familiar with his work. He is co-founder of TVW, Washington's own C-SPAN, which opened the workings of state government to the viewing public. He co-founded a private company that provides learning services for Fortune 500 companies.

Heck should reconsider his position in favor of card checks, which make it easier for employees to organize labor unions. The economy is fragile. New jobs are hard to come by and card checks will not help.

The 3rd is a swing district and there will be an inclination to swing toward Republicans. But this is not about partisan politics. It's about selecting the most qualified candidate to nudge the economy back to health. With his breadth and depth of experience, Heck is the superior pick.