44th Legislative District, vote for McCaughan and Schmidt

THE state's ongoing budget strife and the Democratic-controlled Legislature's response of Band-Aid cuts rather than true reform demands change.

Toward that end, The Seattle Times recommends political novice Bob McCaughan to replace veteran Democratic Rep. Hans Dunshee, an eight-term incumbent, in the 44th Legislative District's Position 1.

McCaughan, a Republican, is inexperienced in state politics and unsuccessfully ran for Snohomish County executive in 2003. A licensed architect, the Eagle Scout is a Scoutmaster in Snohomish and works in a scuba dive shop.

Though McCaughan faces a steep learning curve, he understands the grave circumstances facing the state and pledges to work for reform. That reality seems lost on Dunshee.

In an interview, the incumbent resisted acknowledging the need for a permanent reset of state government in the face of enduring structural economic change. If Dunshee has his way, citizens can expect more of the same spendy, unsustainable budgets as soon as the economy recovers.

Though this page often has endorsed Dunshee, incumbents face a higher bar this year and members of Legislature leadership, an even higher one. As House capital budget chairman, Dunshee shares in the culpability of leadership's failure. He is affable, hardworking and intelligent but he is using those skills to pull the state in the absolute wrong direction.

In the Senate, if the Democrats will not listen to their own skeptics, then it is time to move in another direction. Send former Republican legislator Dave Schmidt back to Olympia as the senator from Snohomish County's 44th District.

Incumbent Democratic Sen. Steve Hobbs ousted Schmidt in 2006, a big year for Democrats. Hobbs, new to the Legislature and elective office, became frustrated with his own party caucus.

He started hanging out with other like-minded D's who voted against new taxes and the state budget. A self-imposed political exile was no platform for influencing policy. This primary season, Hobbs even drew another Democratic challenger along with two Republicans.

Returning Schmidt to office would bulk up Republican opposition to a Democratic Party that needs to be held accountable, and the GOP could use some numbers to wield genuine influence. Having the R's yammer on the sidelines without consequence is no help.

Schmidt knows the district, which covers Mill Creek, Snohomish, Lake Stevens and parts of Marysville. He also knows the political turf after eight years in the House and four in the Senate. He would be starting over on the seniority roster, but his experience and knowledge will have an immediate impact.

In the 44th District, vote for Dave Schmidt for Senate and Bob McCaughan for House, Position 1.