TNT Ed Board endorsements: South Pierce County WA Senate and House seats | Opinion

Change is inevitable, including in Pierce County. From the shores of Commencement Bay to Mount Rainier, the fact that nothing stays the same remains the only constant.

Washington’s 2nd Legislative District — which runs east to west along Pierce County’s rural southern edge and spans borders to include parts of Thurston County — is no exception.

In Spanaway and even Graham, the pressures of increasing development and decades of uncontrolled sprawl continue to take a toll on public health and the quality of life. In Yelm and Lacey, residents are determined to hold onto the charms and rural qualities they fell in love with while charting a course for the future. Across the district, issues like poverty, homelessness, the ever-increasing cost of housing and the devastating fentanyl crisis are unavoidable.

This year, voters in District 2 will elect a state senator and fill a position in the state House of Representatives long held by J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, the former House Minority Leader and one of the most respective conservative voices in state politics.

Both will be weighty decisions, with lasting implications.

Rep. Andrew Barkis, a Republican who has held the 2nd District’s other House position since being appointed in 2016, is running unopposed.

State Senate — District 2

Since being elected to the state Senate in 2020, Republican Jim McCune hasn’t surprised anyone. Much like he was over eight years serving on the Pierce County Council, McCune has remained unapologetically hardline and defiant.

While District 2 is a conservative place — or has been for at least the last 15 years now, dating back to the tenure of former state Rep. Marilyn Rasmussen — that’s not to suggest its residents have been particularly well served in Olympia during McCune’s tenure.

Historically, the former commercial fisherman has been almost gleeful about the extent to which he doesn’t care what his critics think, regularly missing votes and championing extremist ideas that have no chance of advancing in Olympia. In the process, he’s accomplished very little for the constituents he was elected to serve.

As usual, McCune declined to participate in The News Tribune Editorial Board’s 2024 endorsement process, helping solidify our position: District 2 voters deserve better.

Thankfully, the race for state Senate in District 2 features one of the most promising candidates we’ve encountered in a long time.

Republican Ronda Litzenberger earns the strongest endorsement the TNT Ed Board can issue, a decision reached by unanimous consensus.

As a member of the Eatonville School Board, Litzenberger has invaluable ties to the community. The lifelong resident of Eatonville also serves on the Washington State School Directors Association’s Legislative Committee and is Chair of the WSSDA Small Schools Committee.

Litzenberger, who owns and operates a small development company with her husband, impressed the TNT Ed Board with a grasp of intricate policy matters. That’s unusual for someone in her position, a would-be first-time state officeholder challenging a grizzled incumbent from her own party.

Litzenberger also displayed a keen understanding of what makes her district tick — and the issues that matter to residents. Displaying classic conservative traits like an affinity for fiscal responsibility and local control, she offered a fresh and constructive perspective on a number of issues, ranging from education funding to affordable housing and state support for small business owners.

There’s a reason Litzenberger has garnered support from prominent local Republicans — including two who caucused with McCune in the state Senate, John Braun and Chris Gildon.

It’s likely the same reason she earned the TNT Ed Board’s endorsement.

Litzenberger’s time has come. She’s more than ready.

District 2 constituents need someone in office they can count on.

Democrat Erasmo Ruiz, a current member of the Bethel School Board and a local social worker and mental health professional, is also running for the seat.

While the TNT Ed Board appreciates Ruiz’s background and commitment to his community, his lack of experience and expertise is evident. Many of the responses he offered lacked specificity and sounded like empty partisan rhetoric. After meeting with Ruiz and considering his candidacy, we’re not convinced he has his finger on the pulse of District 2 or the skill set necessary to work across party lines.

Ruiz would be better served by continuing to gain experience at the lower levels of government before making the significant jump from local school board to state Senate.

State House, Pos. 2 — District 2

The void left by the retirement of Wilcox this year won’t be easy to fill — in the state House or District 2, an area the egg farmer turned political powerhouse has represented since 2011.

In this year’s primary election, voters in District 2 face an important choice and a crowded field:

A longtime sheriff, a local progressive organizer, a relative unknown and the founder of a dangerous local militia movement are all vying to replace Wilcox.

While none of the candidates wowed the TNT Ed Board — and none have what it takes to quickly step into the former House minority leader’s shoes — Republican John Snaza, who spent 12 years as Thurston County’s top cop, earned our endorsement.

Snaza, who was bested at the ballot box in 2022 by current Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders, will have a lot to learn if District 2 voters bestow their faith in him. His record includes highs and lows, from his service in the U.S. Navy and his long and decorated career in law enforcement to accusations he played dirty in his race with Sanders two years ago and the 2018 car crash he caused while driving a county-issued vehicle.

Still, considering the options, Snaza’s penchant for fiscal responsibility and his valuable experience working on the front lines of public safety — including his familiarity with the rise of fentanyl and the way it’s ravaging local families — undoubtedly present the most upside for voters.

Snaza has name recognition. In time, he can learn the job and even excel at it, provided he works to his strengths, draws on his background and embraces his more moderate tendencies.

In our view, Snaza is the safest best for District 2 in this race.

Liberal voters will be happy to see Democrat Yanah Cook on the ballot, even if the long-time resident and local business owner’s candidacy is likely a long shot. With a lengthy history of volunteerism in the area and a background in micro-farming, Cook knows District 2 and her values are strong. Given her politics and lack of government experience, however, we doubt she’s prepared or particularly well-suited for the office she’s seeking.

Michael Holloman, who works as the director of of a local supportive-living provider for individuals with disabilities, is also on the ballot. Running a grassroots, self-funded campaign, Holloman told us he’s campaigning as a different kind of Democrat, determined to speak for those in District 2 who haven’t felt seen or heard in recent years. We appreciated Holloman’s energy and passion, but he showed few signs of being ready for such an important challenge.

Finally, Republican Matt Marshall is also in the running for the open seat in District 2.

Marshall, who declined to participate in the TNT Ed Board’s endorsement process this year, made News Tribune headlines in 2019 when the Army veteran and founder of the local branch of the Three Percenters movement was elected to the Eatonville school board.

Drawing the attention of national media outlets, the Washington Post described the Three Percenters as a “self-styled militia movement” known for promoting “conspiratorial views about government overreach and imagines ‘patriotic’ Americans revolting against perceived violations of the Constitution.”

In refusing to meet with the board, Marshall accused The News Tribune of misrepresenting him and his views in previous coverage.

We’re convinced the reporters got it right.

Marshall doesn’t belong anywhere near public office, let alone a position in the state House.

The News Tribune Editorial Board is: Matt Driscoll, opinion editor; Stephanie Pedersen, TNT president and editor; Jim Walton, community representative; Amanda Figueroa, community representative; Justin Evans, community representative; J. Manny Santiago, community representative; Bart Hayes, community representative.

This story was originally published July 15, 2024 at 10:32 AM.