The Times endorses
Gregoire for governor in Democrat primary

THE SEATTLE TIMES Christine Gregoire

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Attorney General Christine Gregoire is forceful, battle-tested and ready to become Washington's next governor. She is endorsed in the Democratic primary.

The three-time attorney general and former director of the Department of Ecology has the sharp, engaged mind, work experience and grit to lead a state still reeling from one of the worst economic downturns in its history.

The loss of jobs and sour economy mean selection of the governor is more crucial than in rosier times. The next governor has to be a strong, creative executive who can lead us in a positive direction again. Gregoire has legitimate leadership credentials.

As attorney general, she was so admired by fellow attorneys general she was selected as lead negotiator among 46 states in settling the case with tobacco companies. The settlement will bring $4.5 billion to the state over 25 years. The settlement is a bona fide big deal. It provides money for smoking prevention and health care, and if she gets her way as governor, research and development of biotech industries.

Gregoire, as the state's ecology director, earned tremendous respect for her role in a landmark agreement governing Hanford nuclear cleanup. Her work has often been cited as a nationwide model.

A cornerstone of Gregoire's gubernatorial campaign is a pledge to provide health-care insurance by 2010 for children whose families cannot afford it. She suggests pooling buying power with other states to buy prescription drugs in bulk or buying drugs from Canada to help pay for the coverage.

Her ideas need to be tested but they reflect creative thinking. In her 16 years in public service, there have been bumps along the way, most notably, the missed appeal deadline by an attorney in her office — and all the scrutiny that followed. The mistake cost the state nearly $19 million and there is no way to dress that up.

Gregoire has not been convincing thus far about how she will pay for badly needed improvements in education. She ought to be much more specific about how she would reduce public-school class size and increase access at colleges and universities.

Gregoire's Democratic opponent, King County Executive Ron Sims, has run a more spirited campaign. He has been clear about changes he would seek in state tax policy. And Sims supports Initiative 884, the education trust fund, which would boost education funding at all levels. Gregoire does not.

Voters should not select candidates solely on the merits of their campaign. They should consider the depth and breadth of a candidate's experience and command of statewide issues. Gregoire's grasp of the nuances of state government is compelling.

Of the Democrats, Gregoire is best prepared to take on former state Sen. Dino Rossi, the likely Republican nominee, in the general election, and if elected, lead the state forward at a very challenging time.