The Times endorses
Inslee and Larsen for Congress

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Democrat Jay Inslee is one of the most energetic, hard-working members of Congress, providing the right voice on issues from technology to the environment.

Technology and scientific research have created an economic boon in Inslee's 1st Congressional District. The congressman has helped spur the growth with smart changes, such as amending Small Business Innovation Research grants to include startups that receive venture-capital backing. Inslee has championed legislation to provide retraining and other assistance to high-tech workers displaced by outsourcing. At his request, the General Accounting Office performed the first comprehensive study of private- and public-sector outsourcing of American jobs to other countries.

On energy issues, Inslee has been a fierce advocate for holding Enron responsible for the wrong its market manipulations did to Western energy users. Inslee is right to want to provide means for Snohomish Public Utilities District and others to get out of fraudulent Enron contracts and to put in place mechanisms to prevent and punish future abuses.

Inslee's opponent is Kirkland realtor Randy Eastwood.

Inslee has the kind of broad vision that sees multiple gains in a single endeavor. His Apollo Energy Independence Project seeks alternatives to oil as a way of breaking our dependence on Middle East oil and improving national security. Job creation and addressing the threat of global warming are part of the project's goals.

Inslee has taken stands on FCC issues and computer industry standards that only strengthen his district.

Farther north, Rep. Rick Larsen has ably represented the 2nd District for two terms. He continues to grow in influence and knowledge. His district runs north of Everett to the Canadian border and includes Whidbey Island and the San Juan Islands.

Larsen's opponent is Island County Auditor Suzanne Sinclair, who has held the office by appointment and uncontested elections since 1995. Sinclair is a pro-choice Republican who backs the administration on the war and environmental issues such as energy exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Larsen voted against the Iraq war, but subsequently voted to provide the money for it to be properly supported. He serves the 2nd District well on the House Armed Services Committee, backing pay raises for the military and better treatment for families. He is on top of efforts to upgrade the planes that fly out of Naval Air Station Whidbey.

Larsen is not a doctrinaire vote against tax cuts, voting for the first one, but picking and choosing his way between others that were paid for. He wants Congress back on a pay-as-you-go path for balancing budget increases with cuts.

Larsen has worked with Sen. Patty Murray to create the Wild Sky Wilderness Act, 106,000 acres of wilderness near Index, Gold Bar and Skykomish. The bill has strong local support.

Larsen is hard-working and steady. He has earned another two years.