One of the best ways to measure up candidates for public office is to put them next to each other, fire a few questions their way and compare and contrast their answers.
Seems like few organizations do this anymore, so it’s nice to see the Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce stepping up and hosting an election forum.
A panel discussion with all four candidates for office in the 5th Legislative District’s state House race is Friday, Oct. 17, at the TPC Snoqualmie Ridge, part of the Snoqualmie chamber’s monthly lunch meeting.
You can meet incumbents Jay Rodne and Chad Magendanz and challengers David Spring and Essie Hicks.
The incumbents, Rodne and Magendanz, are both Republicans. Rodne is seeking a sixth term, and Magendanz is seeking a second.
Spring and Hicks are both Democrats. Spring has challenged for state house in 2008, 2010 and 2012, and tried for school board in 2013.
While you can generally assume how a politician will go based on party affiliation, in my experience, party preference shouldn’t be the main thing you go on when it comes to making decisions about who represents you, whether it’s in D.C., Olympia or town hall and district office.
Decisions we make today about public finance, economics and education in this state are too important just to be rubber-stamped based on party preference. It’s very worthwhile to meet, see and hear these candidates in action, to make an informed decision about who will best represent you. Please consider attending this forum.
For local businesspeople, it’s worth joining the Chamber just to hear these candidates for state legislature sound off in what looks like this season’s only election forum.
Attending is also a good way to connect and support the Chamber, which is now under new leadership. Lizzy Billington, former membership director, was promoted after Nate Perea went to the Master Builder’s Association of King and Snohomish Counties.
State legislators act as a body, but each member has his or her own perspective on the issues. If you’ve got a concern or question about the state’s present and future, and would like to learn where our local candidates stand, submit a question. Send questions to the Chamber’s Kaylee Hardman via khardman@snovalley.org.
You can register at www.snovalley.org.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.
After the election, there’s a way to follow the decisions our legislators make, so that we as citizens can be in the loop in the process of government. The WashingtonVotes.org webpage allows state residents to see how their legislator voted, and provides information on the measures that legislators consider and the governor signs. It’s a great tool to stay connected as a voter.
