TNT endorses experience in Port of Tacoma general election race, with just one catch
Of all the choices facing Pierce County voters this November, perhaps none are more important to the overall prosperity and health of the region than the three Port of Tacoma commissioner races they’ll be asked to weigh in on.
Often described as the region’s economic engine, those tasked with shaping the future of Tacoma’s port will have significant work ahead as they balance the need to grow its footprint and bottom line while also responding to the environmental challenges of the day — including the impact of climate change and the need to reduce fossil fuel dependency.
Like previous elections, the slate of candidates vying for four-year terms on the Port of Tacoma commission illustrate this tension in our community. Political newcomers present voters with a vision for the future that often centers the real environmental concerns facing the region and the world, while seasoned incumbents bring decades of experience and a keen understanding of how the port operates and what it needs to succeed in the years to come.
While the discussions were passionate and the decisions difficult, this year The News Tribune’s Editorial Board recommends sticking with names that have long been entrenched in the work of the Port, with just one catch.
During the primary, we endorsed long-time incumbents Dick Marzano and Don Meyer, while also urging both to retire after a final term.
Now, we’re doing the same for John McCarthy, 72, who is completing the first term of his second stint on the Port of Tacoma board of commissioners.
In our estimation, all three are proven leaders who have earned four more years — before making way for fresh voices and perspectives.
On ballots, Pierce County voters will be asked to decide between McCarthy and Laura Gilbert, who filed to run for office earlier this year. Gilbert failed to respond to The News Tribune Editorial Board’s invitation to attend a September endorsement interview. According to Public Disclosure spokesperson Kim Bradford, Gilbert has yet to file a required candidate registration report.
McCarthy, meanwhile, has long displayed the ability to grapple with the competing concerns and complexities that come with guiding an economic force that supports more than 42,000 living-wage jobs. His track record as a Port of Tacoma commissioner already spans 13 years in total; in addition to his election in 2017 he served back-to-back terms between 1983 and 1992. McCarthy also worked as a longshoreman at the Port decades ago while earning the law degree that paved the way for his 22 years as a Pierce County District and Superior Court judge.
During The News Tribune editorial board endorsement interview, McCarthy noted that the Port recently completed and is in the process of implementing a strategic plan that will help guide the commission’s work over the next five years. He stressed the importance of continuing to reduce debt and working to increase market share, while also making sure the Port of Tacoma isn’t dominated by Seattle’s in the Northwest Seaport Alliance.
McCarthy also touched on the elephant in the room: climate change, and how the Port of Tacoma will respond to it. While he said he understands the community’s concerns about issues like fossil fuels, pollution and sea level rise, he described the Port as an underappreciated “environmental leader,” and he said it’s work he’s hoping to continue over the next four years.
“We want to reduce air and climate pollution generated by ourselves and our tenants while protecting our operations from future impacts from climate change,” McCarthy said.
For any Port of Tacoma candidate who emerges victorious next month, that delicate balancing act will be the challenge. It won’t be easy.
Voters elected two new commissioners in 2019, and while we’re eager to see new leaders continue to emerge, we also believe a dose of stability and familiarity this time around would serve Pierce County voters well.
News Tribune election endorsements reflect the views of our Editorial Board and are written by interim opinion editor Matt Driscoll. Other board members are: Stephanie Pedersen, News Tribune president and editor; Jim Walton, community representative; and Pamela Transue, a community representative who serves during election season. The Editorial Board operates independently from the newsroom and does not influence the work of news reporting and editing staff. Endorsements are merely recommendations based on candidate interviews, research and discussions among the board. We do not endorse any candidates who do not interview with us. For questions, email matt.driscoll@thenewstribune.com
This story was originally published October 3, 2021 at 5:00 AM.