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Credits

The Republican Class of 1994 promoted an agenda that went well beyond the comfort zone of many voters. But the political revolution, however short-lived, also broadened the national debate, broaching once-taboo issues such as welfare and Medicare reform, means-testing of entitlements and campaign-finance reform.

Because that debate must continue, we find ourselves supporting the re-election of some freshman Republicans with whom we disagree on specific issues.

2nd district | 4th district | 3rd district | 6th district |

2nd District

Veteran lawmaker Jack Metcalf, whose district extends from Everett to Bellingham, is a case in point. The 69-year-old former high-school teacher from Whidbey Island holds views on issues such as education that are quite different than ours.

The decision is made even tougher by the emergence of a bright, young challenger in state Sen. Kevin Quigley. The Lake Stevens lawyer served an impressive four-year apprenticeship in the state Senate, taking on tough issues such as welfare and health care reform. He is ready for prime time.

But Metcalf, known on Capitol Hill as ``Gentleman Jack,'' brought years of legislative experience to a freshman class made up largely of novices. His chivalrous manner and willingness to work with Democrats helped temper a GOP class prone to strident, overreaching politics.

As a true-blue conservative, Metcalf proposes to limit government, not dismantle it. He pushed for an end to federal timber subsidies and defended a market-based management strategy in the offshore fisheries, showing that conservatives have real ideas for protecting the environment. He has earned a second term.

3rd District

``As irritating as secondhand smoke.'' That's how one GOP colleague describes freshman Linda Smith of southwest Washington's 3rd district. Business-as-usual politicians on both sides of the aisle echo that complaint. But for voters seeking vital and independent leadership, Smith has proven to be an inexhaustible breath of fresh air. She, too, deserves re-election.

Democrat Brian Baird is a smart newcomer who surprised many with a strong showing in the primary. But he has no legislative experience and has waged a needlessly negative campaign characterizing Smith as a loyal partisan soldier of the Republican revolution.

She is anything but. In her first term, the dynamic grandmother riled GOP leaders, won praise from liberal advocacy groups like Common Cause and the League of Women Voters, wowed Ross Perot, supported local unions and still maintained her grass-roots conservative base.

Smith gained national prominence for her tenacious efforts to pass campaign-finance reform and clean up Congress. But she resisted federal tobacco subsidies, supported tax relief for seniors, and held nationwide town meetings on deficit reduction and Medicare reform. In her next term, Smith should move small-business relief to the top of her agenda. With 14 years' experience as a private tax consultant and the chairmanship of a small business subcommittee, she is well-equipped to do the job.

For voters who believe the task of reforming Congress is unfinished, the choice is clear: Send Mrs. Smith back to Washington.

4th District

But don't send Doc Hastings. In two years on Capitol Hill, the Tri-Cities Republican utterly failed to distinguish himself from the messianic government-bashing of Newt Gingrich. Along the way he earned 100 percent scores from Gingrich and the Christian Coalition, zeroes from environmental groups.

Hastings' agenda is best illustrated in his work on Hanford Reach, the last stretch of free-flowing river on the Columbia, a refuge for salmon and other wildlife. Common sense dictates that this remarkable place remain under federal protection; Hastings proposes to turn it over to local county commissioners.

Central Washington voters have a fine alternative in Democrat Rick Locke, a political newcomer with a wealth of real-world experience. Locke grew up in Washougal, studied in Ellensburg, founded a successful software business in Seattle, studied government at Harvard and returned to the Tri-Cities to work on environmental cleanup at Hanford. His resume reflects the kind of smart independence valued in the 4th district.

6th District

Longtime Rep. Norm Dicks remains a blustery whirlwind of congressional savvy, a valuable link to a time when Americans believed government could get things done. Even in the minority, Dicks continues to demonstrate the importance of setting aside partisan differences in favor of regional goals. He deserves re-election.