1st District recommendation: Democrat Stanford, Republican Munson

TWO retirements from the state House of Representatives give voters in the 1st Legislative District a genuine opportunity to influence decision making in Olympia as lawmakers take on the state's financial woes.

The district, in northeast King County and south Snohomish County, includes portions of Bothell, Woodinville, Mountlake Terrace and Brier. The endorsement for Position 1 goes to Democrat Derek Stanford, who holds a Ph.D. in statistics from the University of Washington.

Stanford is a business-oriented candidate, who adds an analyst's demand for data to the pursuit of balance and stability in public policy. Stanford, new to elective office, came out on top in a crowded primary field.

For Position 2, the endorsement goes to Republican Heidi Munson, a self-employed house cleaner. She likewise has no direct political experience, and makes that a point of pride. She pledges to fight for leaner government — an appropriate view for the Legislature's daunting challenges. She is endorsed in part because the Republican Party has no political bench, and needs to develop a credible reserve of office seekers and officeholders.

Munson's capacity to learn quickly and keep the best interests of her district in the forefront will be watched closely. She certainly has the energy to succeed.

Two fresh faces, with different views, résumés and capacities, are endorsed for the 1st District:

Democrat Derek Stanford in Position 1 and Republican Heidi Munson for Position 2.