The News Tribune endorsements: Our Tacoma choices for WA House and Senate races
For years, the Tacoma area has benefited from strong, experienced representation in the state legislature. From Rosa Franklin to the more recently departed Jeannie Darneille and Steve Kirby, our community has been blessed with powerhouse leaders who know how to get things done in Olympia. The state is better because of it, and so are our local communities.
This year, like most election years, Tacoma voters have a chance to reflect and, if they so choose, reassess. In the 27th District, current Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins is up for re-election, as is her seatmate, Jake Fey, chair of the House Transportation Committee. In the 29th District, longtime state Sen. Steve Conway is also vying for another term — having spent 30-plus years in state government between the House and Senate. All three are Democrats, and all three have faced the same critiques that all Democrats have been subjected to this election cycle in a state where their party holds most of the political power, whether it’s concern over rising crime or the cost of living.
There’s little doubt that Washington faces no shortage of challenges, some new and some old. Voters are right to ask the tough questions and demand answers from those chosen to represent them.
Still, in the view of The News Tribune Editorial Board, Jinkins, Fey and Conway are all head and shoulders above the field of challengers — and all three again earn our strong endorsements this year.
The race for House Position 1 in the 27th District pits Jinkins against Republican challenger Jalonnie Givens-Jackson. According to Givens-Jackson’s candidate statement, he’s a Hilltop homeowner who believes taxes, crime and education are “going in the wrong direction” in Washington. Specifically, Givens-Jackson — who did not attend The News Tribune Editorial Board’s endorsement interview in the race — lists public safety and increases in homelessness as top concerns.
While all of the issues Givens-Jackson raises are legitimate, it’s Jinkins who presents the best opportunity for voters looking for actual solutions. As Speaker of the House since 2020, Jinkins, 58, has helped push through a host of important legislation, from expansions in childcare to sensible gun regulations. The first woman and the first openly gay speaker in state history, the representation she provides for many historically underrepresented Washingtonians is also worth noting. But most important is Jinkins’ track record: she’s a leader who knows how the sausage is made in Olympia, and knows what it takes to bring about important progress for the state and for her constituents.
“Even though I manage a lot as Speaker, in the end …. the caucus decides how they want to move on legislation. I don’t decide that for the caucus, and so that’s just like it was when I was a line member from the 27th District,” Jinkins told The News Tribune Editorial Board. “I feel very aligned with the 27th district, and the values of the voters in the district.”
In the race for House Position 2 in the 27th District, Fey faces Republican challenger Janet Large, a retired special education instructor, adjunct professor and small business owner. While Large’s passion for and commitment to her community are indisputable and admirable — she’s a Stadium High School graduate who grew up in Northeast Tacoma and has lived in the area for more than 50 years — her ideas for tackling some of Washington’s biggest challenges often rely on vague conservative talking points that oversimplify the problems we face.
Fey, 73, has served in the state House of Representatives since 2013 after previously serving on the Tacoma City Council. Over the course of his near decade in Olympia, he has emerged as one of the Democrats’ go-to forces on all things transportation. As chair of the House Transportation Committee, Fey helped shepherd through last year’s historic $16 billion, 16-year transportation package — legislation that will maintain and improve the infrastructure we have today while also setting the state up for a greener future. With great power in Olympia comes great responsibility, and Fey has earned our trust both as a prudent, diligent lawmaker on the big, statewide issues and one who knows a large part of his job is representing the residents of his district.
“I think I have been an effective representative for the 27th District,” Fey told The News Tribune Editorial Board. “When you’re in the state legislature, you’re not only representing your district, but you represent the entire state. For the past four years, I’ve been chair of the House Transportation Committee, which has been a great opportunity for me and a great opportunity, I think, for being able to make sure that this part of the South Sound is well taken care of.”
Finally, after a long and accomplished career in state government representing the 29th District, state Sen. Steve Conway, 78, could have decided to ride into the sunset and no one would have blamed him. His political career already spans three decades, but Conway told The News Tribune Editorial Board that the challenges facing Washington demand experienced leadership that can deliver results.
While we’re generally averse to politicians spending so long in office — and firmly believe that new blood and new voices are critically important to maintaining our democracy — there’s little doubt Conway has the chops it takes to serve one more term. In particular, Conway’s measured voice on issues of public safety and law enforcement — he touts endorsements from the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs and the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters — should carry weight as the legislature continues to grapple with increased crime and the unintended consequences of previous reform efforts.
“I do believe that we have some major issues on the agenda this year — public safety being one of them, homelessness being one of them, and now inflation,” Conway said. “I think we need experienced people to help us solve those problems, and people who know how to solve the problems in a collaborative way.”
Conway is being challenged by Republican Terry Harder, a perennial candidate who’s no stranger to the ballot. We’re thankful Harder threw his hat in the ring once again this year to ensure that voters in the 29th District have a real race — and a real choice to make — but Conway is the superior pick.
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.