Who can best represent voters in WA’s 31st Legislative District? The choice is clear

There are so many things that make Pierce County special. On the horizon, there’s the mountain — Tahoma, as it should rightly be known. All around us, there’s the water, giving us life and sustaining us. And in our cities and small towns — the communities that make us who we are, and give us our spirit — there’s incredible diversity, spanning color, culture, creed, socioeconomic status and, certainly, political thought.

Every year at this time The News Tribune Editorial Board has an opportunity to witness the latter firsthand. Over two months we’ve conducted more than a dozen endorsement interviews with political candidates of all viewpoints and persuasions, providing a clear reminder that our democracy is designed to bring everyone to the table, and that — at its best — it finds a way to wade through this messy exchange of ideas on its way to policies and decisions that best serve the needs and desires of all residents.

Extending from south King County and Auburn all the way to Enumclaw, Carbonado and Green Water — and including rapidly changing communities like Bonney Lake, Sumner and Edgewood along the way — Washington’s 31st Legislative District is a perfect example of our area’s mix of lived experiences and perspectives. The 31st is suburban and rural. It’s old school and new school. It’s a mixture of the past, and the future of the area.

In other words, representing the 31st in the state House of Representatives is no easy task, requiring the ability to find a common ground that reflects both traditional conservative values and the realities of a changing world.

Since 2015, Republican Drew Stokesbary — still just 36 years old — has managed the job with natural charisma and political skill. It’s why he’s earned our endorsement each time his name has been on the ballot, and why we have no reservations endorsing Stokesbary now for a fifth term.

While being a Republican in Olympia can be an uphill battle, Stokesbary has seemingly mastered the art of playing pesky counterbalance — and occasional thorn — to the Democratic majority. As the ranking minority leader of the House Appropriations Committee, Stokesbary, in his own words, has “been Republican leader on pretty much everything related to the state budget,” putting his economics degree from Duke University and a law degree from Notre Dame to good use along the way. He’s also been a frequent critic of the liberal inclination toward taxing and spending, including championing sensible tax relief that has yet to come but would likely be welcomed by many constituents of the 31st, now more than ever.

Stokesbary has also been a vocal but thoughtful critic of what too often amounts to one-party rule in Olympia. In recent years, emboldened by strong majorities, conversations that have historically been more bipartisan affairs — like budget and transportation package negotiations — have become far more one-sided, with Republicans left on the outside looking in.

Stokesbary — who has drawn two primary challengers this year — is the type of pragmatic, conservative legislator that makes such trends look misguided.

Challenging Stokesbary from the right, Republican Brandon Beynon, 49, enters the race as a first-time political candidate with a background in commercial construction. A West Virginia University graduate who’s lived in Washington for nearly 30 years, Beynon told The News Tribune he’s running because he wants to see Republicans take a more active role pushing back against the liberal majority and what he described in this year’s voters’ guide as “the Seattle politics creeping into our neighborhoods.” While we applaud Beynon’s desire to roll up his sleeves and get involved, his arguments and ideas often lack specificity and direction beyond merely expressing frustration.

For residents in the 31st District on the other side of the political spectrum, Democrat Holly Stanton, 55, stands as a stark, albeit unseasoned, alternative to Stokesbary and Beynon. Also a first-time political candidate, the attorney, small business owner and former Girl Scout troop leader with over 20 years living in the district said she wasn’t necessarily planning to run for office this year but has always believed in civic engagement. We admire Stanton’s dedication and sense of responsibility to her community, and encourage her stay involved in local politics, regardless of the outcome of this year’s election.

Back to Stokesbary: Although we don’t agree with every vote he’s taken during his time in office — or every stance he took against Governor Jay Inslee’s response to the pandemic — there’s little question his wonkish nature, affinity for fiscal responsibility and keen attention to detail have made the civic sausage-making process in Olympia stronger and more robust. And as he pointed out during this year’s endorsement interview, the state is entering a crucial period, emerging from COVID-19 and with the very real possibility of economic recession looming. There’s little question Stokesbary’s presence representing the 31st will be a benefit to the region and the state.

“Over the past couple of years, the state has spent significantly. Those investments need to be managed; many of them are tied to inflation,” Stokesbary told us. “Even if tax revenues continue to go up, so will expenditures. So I want to continue to see through the state budget in a responsible manner.”

In our mind, Stokesbary is up to the continued challenge.

News Tribune election endorsements reflect the views of our Editorial Board and are written by 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 staffs. We do not endorse any candidates who do not interview with us. For questions, email matt.driscoll@thenewstribune.com.