Letters to the Editor: More about Jesse Young

Send Jesse packing

In light of Representative Jesse Young’s response to the pandemic and the black lives matter movement, I am speaking up for a change in leadership

.Rep. Young pushed for a special session to pressure our governor to open up Washington State, apparently for the good of special interest groups rather than for our collective health. He showed up the first night of the vigils in Gig Harbor with his armed posse, ostensibly to protect businesses from Antifa . He wouldn’t kneel to respect the life of George Floyd. He was interviewed saying that anti-racism protests actually promote racism.

Carrie Hesch is uniquely qualified to better represent us! She listens to the issues important to women, people of color, people of different faiths, and people who are concerned for our community. Carrie has a daughter with special needs and will fight for better healthcare support for our community. She has a masters degree in infrastructure planning and management from the University of Washington, which provides a great background to know how to help communities cope with issues such as pandemics, the climate crisis, and how to knit back an increasingly frayed social safety net.

This is the time when we need new representation for our district!

Twila Slind

Gig Harbor

Follow the money

It is interesting to examine the donors for Jesse Young (R-Gig Harbor) as he seeks reelection to the Washington legislature from the 26th Legislative District. As in past years, his donors are largely corporations and people from outside his district. Industries like tobacco, oil, communication, energy, trucking, and housing have contributed over 50% of his finances last election cycle.

This year, however, Rep. Young appears to be struggling to raise money. Current reports show his money raised this year to be the lowest total of all the five serious candidates. He has only reported $2,050 from individuals inside his district. Are people growing weary of his controversial alt-right stunts?

Maybe Rep. Young has spent too much time supporting his buddy, Matt Shea, who has been accused in a House-sponsored investigation of sponsoring domestic terrorism; harassing young protesters at vigils; attending too many Anti Stay-at-Home Protests; and coordinating deceptive anti-sex education referendums.

It is time for his constituents to have a representative who attends to their needs by safeguarding public health, supporting racial equality, and denouncing those, like Matt Shea, who threaten the rule of law.

Karen Anderson

Gig Harbor

All Lives Do Matter

I am female, Independent and Christian. I invite you to join me in this crusade. Such an old and tired phrase, “black lives matter.” I would propose we change that to All Lives Matter. We are a nation of many colors. Anyone of any color may have an injustice against them, including white. We have all had this happen and doing another wrong doesn’t fix it. Who will join me in this new phrase?

Yvonne Hendrickson

Gig Harbor

This story was originally published June 24, 2020 at 8:55 AM.