Larsen in the 2nd

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen has a solid base of congressional experience and committee assignments that well serve the trade, military and agricultural interests of the 2nd District. He is an easy endorsement for re-election.

Democrat Larsen, who lives in Lake Stevens, is seeking a fourth term representing an area from north Everett to the Canadian border that includes Whidbey and San Juan islands. Larsen serves on the Armed Services, Agriculture and Transportation and Infrastructure committees. They are a perfect fit for a district with naval and air bases and thousands of active-duty personnel and retirees. The 2nd District survived a rigorous round of the Base Realignment and Closure review, and Larsen was in the thick of defending local interests.

Befitting the growth of Snohomish County and beyond, the district's population is booming, but rich agricultural lands give the region a lush, dual personality. Larsen has brought federal dollars to transportation projects around urban areas, and worked with farmers on the economic consequences of the scare over mad-cow disease.

He co-chairs the China Working Group in Congress on trade and foreign policy, and he works effectively across party lines with a Republican lawmaker from California as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine.

Larsen opposed the Iraq war resolution but subsequently and consistently voted to spend the money to properly equip U.S. forces. The congressman has made three trips to Iraq to assess the progress of the war.

Larsen's Republican challenger is a former Navy captain who retired to Snohomish after commanding aircraft carriers. Doug Roulstone had a distinguished military career, and he has created jobs in the private sector and been a community volunteer.

In 22 months as a candidate, however, he has made no headway against a strong, respected incumbent. Roulstone has not made any case for voters to deny Larsen re-election.

Return Rep. Rick Larsen to Congress, where he has done an able and energetic job of representing the 2nd District.