Snohomish, North King legislative races

Ask the candidates running for the state Legislature in Snohomish County and the northern tier of King County what they hear while doorbelling, and education and transportation top the list. No surprise, perhaps, but the pleas come with special urgency in these fast-growing districts.

Most of the political races do not have any surprises. Incumbents prevail, and officeholders and voters in both parties would benefit from stronger challengers. District 1

(Bothell, Woodinville, Mountlake Terrace, Brier)

State Rep. Mark Ericks is a former Bothell chief of police broadly endorsed for re-election in his district and by The Times. The North End Democrat used his law-enforcement experience to help pass a tougher identity-theft bill that reclassified property crime to a crime against persons, and stiffened penalties.

District 32

(Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, Shoreline, Edmonds, Woodway)

In a notable exception to many races, Democratic state Sen. Darlene Fairley has a solid opponent in Republican David Baker, a Kenmore city councilman in his first term. The endorsement still goes to Fairley, of Lake Forest Park, who has been a steady champion of consumer interests in the Legislature. Next session she plans a close look at the payday-loan industry and predatory lending.

Democratic Rep. Maralyn Chase of Edmonds has a scrappy, quirky reputation but she is the choice for Position 1. Chase serves on the House Economic, Agriculture and Trade Committee. Republican opponent Nadine Federow has an ambitious agenda to overhaul education and health care and simplify access to medical coverage.

In Position 2, Democratic state Rep. Ruth Kagi is strongly endorsed for her advocacy on behalf of children and families, foster families and homeless families. She helped create the state Department of Early Learning as chair of the House Children and Family Services Committee. Republican challenger Steve Gibbs is up against an effective, respected legislator.

District 44

(Mill Creek, Lake Stevens, Marysville)

Republican state Sen. Dave Schmidt, who also served in the House, keeps getting better and busier. Schmidt helped shepherd the state to an earlier primary-election date. He has worked on more than a dozen interim committees, and serves on Gov. Chris Gregoire's Washington Learns Commission looking at school funding. He delivered on road improvements for his district. Democratic challenger Steve Hobbs is persistent, but needs to build a civic résumé in local government.

As chair of the House Capital Budget Committee, State Rep. Hans Dunshee, the Democrat in Position 1, is well-situated to promote regional desires for a four-year university. Dunshee blinked on a 2005 tax vote for a transportation package eventually upheld by voters. Close races have that effect. He is still preferred over Lake Stevens Republican Mike Hope, who was competitive for the GOP in 2004.

Position 2 incumbent state Rep. John Lovick helped bring needed highway improvements to his district. The retired State Patrol sergeant also worked to toughen sex-offender laws. Republican Robert Legg, a pastor and long-time Air Force reservist, builds his campaign around leadership, which Lovick already provides.

District 38

(Everett, Marysville, Snohomish Valley west of Highway 9)

Republican Kim Halvorson is a much-improved candidate from her 2004 challenge of Democratic state Rep. John McCoy. Her service as vice chair of the Snohomish County Charter Review Commission helped season her. Still, McCoy, who is general manager of the Tulalip Tribes Quil Ceda Village retail development, has a solid record on issues for children, families and the elderly. McCoy helped steer state transportation dollars to his district.

District 39

(Skykomish, Granite Falls, Arlington, Concrete)

This crazy-quilt district covers a lot of ground and has heavy transportation needs, especially on Highway 2. Republican state Rep. Dan Kristiansen opposed two transportation tax packages, and now complains the Democrats did not do enough for roads. Kristiansen needed a stiff re-election challenge, but he did not get it from Democrat Scott Olson.