This piece originally appeared in The Seattle Times on Oct. 30, 1996

Seattle Times endorsements: Legislative races in districts 25, 30, 31, 33, and 47

Partisan control of the Legislature will be influenced heavily by independent voters in suburban and rural South King County. Following are Times endorsements in those districts:

25th District (Puyallup, suburban Pierce County)

This classic swing district, which has produced legislators ranging from Democrat Marc Gaspard to Republican Randy Tate, may well do it again. Democrat Calvin Goings, who was appointed to the state Senate when il5l,17pGaspard resigned last year, had a fine first session and has earned our endorsement. He is a Puyallup native and a bank manager who brings a youthful voice and business savvy to the Democratic caucus.@NO His opponent was a predictable vote for social conservatives.@RO For the House, Republican Joyce McDonald is a conservative voice whose experience as a legislative aide should serve her well in Olympia. The Scottish immigrant hopes to tackle the flood of paperwork and unnecessary bills that slow the legislative process. Her challenge will be to move beyond the narrow agenda of the religious right, but we think she's up to it.

In the other House seat, Democrats have found a promising voice in Jim Kastama. The 37-year-old Puyallup native studied at Berkeley, bicycled across the U.S. and Europe, then came home to start a family. He promises to work with Republicans for welfare reform and government efficiencies, and he appears to be well-prepared to deliver.

30th District (Federal Way area)

Republicans have two solid incumbents in Tim Hickel and Maryann Mitchell, and both should be returned to Olympia.

Mitchell has been an advocate for the handicapped and a major force behind Federal Way incorporation before being elected to the Legislature. She is a moderate, pro-choice Republican who works well with conservatives on issues such as property taxes and education. If re-elected, she's a good bet for leadership. Democrat Paul Mallary is a good candidate who has taken on a superior incumbent. We hope to see more of him. Hickel, vice chairman of the law and justice committee, is one of the few lawyers remaining in the Legislature. His Democratic opponent, Eric Ulis, needs more political seasoning before going to Olympia.

31st District (Auburn and rural South end)

Two years ago, we supported state patrolman Eric Robertson as a promising Republican voice, and he delivered. Unlike many of his colleagues, Robertson expanded from his conservative base and showed an ability to work across party lines, especially on issues dealing with public safety and transportation. He is an easy choice for re-election.

Position 2 is a close call. Democrat Chris Hurst is a longtime narcotics detective and former businessman whose experience would be an asset to the Democratic caucus. But we lean to incumbent Les Thomas, a business-minded Republican who chairs the Financial Institutions Committee. Thomas is a thoughtful conservative who argues that the much-criticized Growth Management Act is working well in South King County.

33rd District (Normandy Park, Des Moines, Sea-Tac, Kent valley)

Julia Patterson, a former Sea-Tac council member, has been a moderate influence on her Democratic caucus since she won a special election in 1993. She played a role in welfare reform and sponsored a bill to crack down on deadbeat dads and, like all candidates in the area, opposed the planned third runway at Sea-Tac Airport.

The race for Position 2 is also clear-cut. Republican James McCune is a conservative largely supported by the religious right. Our endorsement goes to Democrat Karen Keiser, a former journalist who was appointed to that seat when Greg Fisher resigned. Her varied experience as a reporter, labor lobbyist and suburban homemaker provides a broad view of public policy -- particularly from the standpoint of taxpayers. She has earned a full term in Olympia.

47th District (Kent and Renton highlands to Black Diamond)

In just two terms, Republican Suzette Cooke has become a major influence on a number of issues, particularly welfare reform. As former director of the Kent Chamber of Commerce and of the Kent Senior Activity Center, she brings a valuable range of experience to her caucus. Her Democratic challenger, Carolyn Shelton, is an accountant who only recently moved to the state. Cooke should be returned for her third and, due to term limits, final stint in the House.

The other seat presents a more difficult choice. Incumbent Republican Jack Cairnes is a contractor and a reasonable advocate of property rights and limited government. But we prefer Democrat Kent City Councilman Tim Clark, based on his experience as a high-school teacher and local decision-maker. Clark's experience with local government, public education and growth management prepare him to be a first-string player in sessions to come.