Change has come to WA’s 29th District. Read the TNT’s endorsements in 2 key House races

Change can be exciting, and for residents of the state’s 29th Legislative District — which includes most of Tacoma — there’s a lot to be excited about this election season.

For more than two decades, Democratic stalwart Steve Kirby has represented the 29th in the state House of Representatives. Before that, Kirby spent more than a decade on the Tacoma City Council. Over this long period of time — essentially a generation of local politics — Kirby became synonymous with Tacoma’s traditional brand of blue-collar, pragmatic progressivism, eventually emerging as one of the most tenured lawmakers reporting to Olympia each January. He was a representative known for his ability to work with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

But this year Kirby’s name will not appear on the ballot. In December, the 70-year-old called it a career, relinquishing the seat he’d held since the turn of the century.

The good news is Kirby’s retirement opens the door for a new voice, and new perspective in the 29th.

And in the view of The News Tribune Editorial Board, there’s little question that Democrat Sharlett Mena, 32, is more than ready to step up to the challenge — earning our strong endorsement in the race for House Position 2.

Mena, who honed her policy chops working as a legislative staffer and as a member of Gov. Jay Inslee’s office, has all the attributes voters in the 29th should be looking for as they cast their ballots. She has a history of championing important environmental causes and workers’ rights, including as part of the team that helped to pass the state’s Paid Family Leave Act. The daughter of Mexican immigrants who was the first person in her family to graduate college, Mena has also made voting rights a priority. She helped to pass Washington’s Voting Rights Act in 2018 and later helped to launch the Voter Turnup campaign, which her website describes as “a movement led by people of color to engage and empower each other through voter registration, cultural expression, and civic engagement.”

During this year’s endorsement interview, Mena explained to The News Tribune Editorial Board her reason for running:

“I was raised by hardworking, immigrant parents who put food on the table by working in the fields and cutting meat. And the reason I’m running now is because hardworking families like mine are just having a really hard go of it,” Mena said. “We’re all aware of the housing crisis. We’re aware of how unaffordable things like groceries have become. And I think we need folks with experience in the legislature who have the know-how and the wherewithal to really push on these policies and make a difference.”

In addition to Mena, this year’s primary race for House Position 2 in the 29th District includes two lesser-known names.

Melissa Knott, 46, is a Democrat with a long family history in Tacoma. Having served as vice chair of the South End Neighborhood Council and as a precinct committee officer in the 29th, we were impressed by Knott’s drive to make a difference in her community and her passion for lifting up those around her. We strongly encourage Knott to stay active in local politics, because there’s no doubt voices like hers are needed.

David Figuracion, 65, is employed as a nurse manager who represents the conservative opposition to Mena and Knott in the race. A Parkland resident and lifelong Washingtonian — as well as a first-time political candidate — Figurarcion told the TNT Ed Board that he’s running because of what he described as the “disconnect” between lawmakers in Olympia and “everyday working” men and women in Washington state. While Figuracion’s candidacy gives voice to legitimate frustrations in our community — including around the issue of increasing crime and lawlessness — his proposed solutions, as has often been the case this primary season, lack the required specifics and nuance to effectively lead.

Two years ago, Mena challenged Kirby for the same House seat she’s once again attempting to win. At the time, The News Tribune Editorial Board took the unusual step of issuing a co-endorsement, unable to choose between two qualified candidates.

This year, there’s no need for tie-breakers or rock, paper, scissors. Kirby is one of a host of local, state and federal officials who have endorsed her candidacy, and for good reason: Mena appears poised and ready for the job.

In the race for House Position 1 in the 29th District, the choice is equally clear.

First elected in 2018, Melanie Morgan, 54, has now served two successful terms in Olympia, and The News Tribune Editorial Board strongly endorses her candidacy for a third.

Why? It’s simple: Morgan, a Parkland resident who brings a wealth of valuable life experiences to the job — including her time in the military, her personal experiences with homelessness and her background fighting for important social justice causes — has a history of getting things done.

A former school board director from Franklin Pierce Schools, Morgan has quickly established herself as a power player in the Democratic party. There’s a reason she’s served as the deputy majority floor leader, chair of House Members of Color Caucus and chair of the Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force: her effective, engaging leadership.

During her short time in Olympia, Morgan has also helped to bring millions of dollars to Pierce County for important projects like a yet-to-be-built community center and homeless shelter, and $200,000 to study the potential benefits of incorporating the county’s unincorporated areas like Parkland, Spanaway and Summit-Waller.

“For over 30 years I have been engaged in our community as a public servant,” Morgan told The News Tribune Editorial Board. “Since 2019, I’ve been putting people first as a state representative.”

Morgan’s primary challenger in the general election is Republican Brett Johnson. Tacoma voters may recall Johnson, 40, from his unsuccessful 2020 City Council run and, more recently, his role in leading Tacoma-Pierce County Safe, a grassroots movement created to address increasing crime and violence.

Much like two years ago, The News Tribune Editorial Board was impressed with Johnson as a candidate. An Air Force veteran and small business owner, Johnson’s answers to pressing issues like homelessness, affordable housing and crime don’t lack thought or empathy. In a race that also includes first-time candidate and Democrat Tim Monaghan, if Johnson and Morgan move on to the general election we look forward to a spirited, well-grounded debate.

Still, in our mind, Morgan clearly deserves another term.

Her growing track record speaks for itself.

Note from The News Tribune Editorial Board: Our endorsement of state Rep. Melanie Morgan was published in July, during the primary, before the Associated Press reported on a workplace conduct investigation that found Morgan “engaged in abusive and bullying conduct.” Morgan has filed a formal appeal with the House Executive Rules Committee. While the process plays out we stand by our July endorsement. We continue to monitor the situation.

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.

This story was originally published July 9, 2022 at 5:00 AM.