The Times endorses
Snohomish Co. faces growth, schools, bills

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Snohomish County voters are concerned about their jobs, the economy and the price of health care. They talk a lot about NASCAR. They worry about their local schools and finding slots for their children in higher education. Mostly, they worry about how to pay for all of it.

So report legislative candidates who've been doorbelling and campaigning in districts that cover communities from the King County line north to Whatcom and Skagit counties.

21st Legislative District

• As in the primary, Democrat Mary Helen Roberts is strongly endorsed for the Position 1 House seat being vacated by Mike Cooper, who is running for state lands commissioner. Roberts, a trustee of Edmonds Community College, has a wealth of experience in education and children's issues in Olympia and Washington, D.C.

Republican Roger S. "Cowboy" Wilson, a retired school teacher, is full of provocative if impractical ideas, such as reversing all freeway lanes in one direction to speed morning or evening commuter traffic.

• Incumbent Rep. Brian Sullivan is endorsed for the Position 2 seat he first won in 2001. Democrat Sullivan was a long-serving Mukilteo city councilman and mayor, and he has valuable small-business experience as a restaurant owner and manager. He is especially attuned to finding a way for Olympia to help and encourage employers to provide health-care coverage for their workers.

38th Legislative District

• State Sen. Jean Berkey, a South Everett Democrat, exudes the competence that first won a special election to the House and later an appointment to the Senate after Aaron Reardon became Snohomish County executive. She is an advocate of the Priorities of Government approach used by Reardon and Gov. Gary Locke to balance county and state budgets.

Republican Tim Hanley, an engineer, is encouraged to build a civic résumé in local government.

• Incumbent Rep. John McCoy, the state's only Native American legislator, is endorsed for re-election in a district that includes both Marysville and the Tulalip Indian Reservation, where he is a business manager. Democrat McCoy upset many labor constituents when he dragged his feet on support of a rail-barge terminal tied to Boeing's new 7E7.

Republican Kim Halvorson, a resident of Priest Point on the reservation, emerged from a property-rights movement among non-Indian landowners. She is no match for McCoy's legislative experience and community ties.

• Democrat Mike Sells is endorsed for Position 2. The former teacher is executive secretary of the Snohomish County Labor Council. Sells' strength is community involvement, which includes long service on the Everett Housing Authority Board and as a Central Washington University trustee. He is especially sensitive to issues of access and affordability at state schools.

Republican Erv Hoglund, a retired airlines pilot, is making his fourth try for elective office.

39th Legislative District

• State Sen. Val Stevens, a staunchly conservative Republican, is endorsed for another four-year term to represent the eastern portions of Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties and the northern portion of King County. She has evolved into a knowledgeable and constructive critic of children's programs under the state Department of Social and Health Services. In a new term, she may explore a breakup of the cumbersome and often troubled agency. NASCAR would land in the 39th and Stevens is skeptical. She opposes the investment of state funds or tying up state bonding capacity if it precludes higher priorities.

Democrat Susanne Olson, a veteran educator, has great potential but the state Senate is a big leap without previous elective office.

• Republican Reps. Dan Kristiansen and Kirk Pearson are the recommendations for re-election. Pearson successfully moved crowded Highway 9 up the priority list for improvements.

Democratic opponents Joel Selling and Pedro Gonzalez are quality candidates, but they need to be seasoned on a local council, board or commission.

44th Legislative District

• Two strong Democratic incumbents are easy endorsements. Their opponents, though credible, do not make a case for removing them. Rep. Hans Dunshee is smart, hard-working and maybe the best quote in the House. He has a solid environmental ethic and a connection with constituents that transcends party lines. Rep. John Lovick, of Mill Creek, served as House speaker pro tem, a credit to his ability to work in a bipartisan fashion. Lovick, a Washington State Patrol sergeant, is a leader to be retained.

(Tomorrow: More south Snohomish County / north King County legislative races)