This County Council race has been marred by controversy. Here’s our District 7 endorsement

Change can be difficult. It can also be a very good thing. In local elected government, we’d argue it’s essential — often realized through the institution of term limits — ensuring there’s turnover in representation and that new leaders have a chance to emerge.

In Pierce County Council District 7, that’s precisely the situation residents find themselves in. After eight successful years representing the area, current Council chair Derek Young, a Democrat, is preparing to ride into the Gig Harbor sunset, making way for someone new.

So who will voters choose? A crowded primary field boasts five candidates, ranging in style and political persuasion to the level of notoriety they’ve achieved through well-documented extracurricular activities, setting up what promises to be one of the most interesting local races of the season.

In the opinion of The News Tribune Editorial Board, one candidate rises above the rest: Robyn Denson.

Not only would the current Gig Harbor City Council member continue the important streak of representation from the more rural side of the Tacoma-Narrows Bridge, Denson would bring a wealth of local government experience to the job, which — as Young’s tenure has demonstrated — can go a long way for anyone hoping to effectively serve in the position.

Denson, 47, is running as a Democrat, although she’s been serving on the non-partisan Gig Harbor City Council for the last two years. Before that, the small business owner and former housing policy analyst for the state Legislature served four terms on the Gig Harbor Parks Commission. Denson’s well-rounded resume and the level of community support her candidacy has garnered — which includes the endorsements of Young as well as U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer and Marilyn Strickland — suggests she’s up to the challenge.

In District 7, which includes Gig Harbor, Key Peninsulas and the North End of Tacoma, four Republican candidates also are vying for the job.

Paula Lonergan, 69, is the strongest of the bunch. A former sergeant in the U.S. Air Force and the current chair of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Civil Service Commission, Lonergan’s candidacy provides a reasonable alternative for more conservative voters of District 7, even if her lack of experience in elected office and grasp of problems like Pierce County’s lack of affordable housing leave something to be desired. It’s a similar story for Mitch Anderson, a financial adviser with a history working with the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce.

Beyond Anderson, Lonergan and Denson — the latter being the TNT Editorial Board’s clear first choice — voters should be extremely wary of two names in particular on their ballots.

Chuck West, 64, is a former firefighter and small business owner who has more recently served on the Peninsula School Board. While we appreciate West’s public safety work in the past, he has a history of making divisive comments on social media that have been described as racist, and he also has a track record sharing false COVID-19 information online. In a crowded field, there are better candidates to vote for.

The same is true of Josh Harris, 47, who readers of The News Tribune are likely familiar with. Harris first made headlines for bailing out the three Tacoma police officers charged in the death of Manuel Ellis last year, and in May made the news once again for shooting a man near a homeless encampment in Tacoma. While prosecutors have said he acted in self defense during the shooting and won’t be charged with a crime, the incident — which involved Harris arming himself before entering the camp in an attempt to retrieve stolen property — raises serious judgment and common sense concerns.

Running on a law-and-justice platform, it’s also worth noting that Harris has a troubling criminal record of his own. There’s little question he’s unfit for office.

We have no such concerns about Denson, who voters in District 7 would be wise to cast their ballots for.

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.