We endorse: Taylor, Johnson ready to lead Federal Way based Legislative District 30
At a watershed moment for racial justice and equity in Washington, voters have a chance to elect two impressive Black candidates in one of Washington’s most diverse legislative districts.
Democrats Jamila Taylor and Jesse Johnson are our choices in Legislative District 30, which includes Federal Way, Milton, Algona, Pacific and parts of Auburn and Des Moines.
For House Position 1, Taylor, 44, is ready to replace Rep. Mike Pellicciotti, a Democrat who’s running for state treasurer.
Taylor has spent her career so far advocating on issues ranging from domestic violence, juvenile justice, seniors at risk and holistic health care. After working for victims’ rights at the Northwest Justice Project, she started a legal practice and nonprofit consulting business.
Taylor serves on the Federal Way Human Services Commision and brings a promising combination of thoughtful activism and pragmatic concerns. Among them: bipartisan tax reform and “making infrastructure investments that put people to work.”
Taylor grew up in Oregon and earned her law degree there. In 2007, she began her legal career in Seattle and moved to the 30th in 2014. She says that personal medical and financial challenges have attuned her to the struggles many Washingtonians face. She lives with her mother and a sibling, both of whom have chronic illnesses.
In the Aug. 4 primary election, Janis Clark and Martin Moore are the two Republicans vying for Position 1 while Cheryl Hurst is the other Democrat. All have solid records of accomplishment, but Moore is the more convincing Republican alternative.
A substitute teacher who also runs a nonprofit, Moore has served on the Federal Way City Council since 2013. He has a compelling personal narrative — adopted from Bulgaria by a Federal Way family at age 8 — and a good resume.
But Taylor’s vision for rebuilding post COVID-19 is part of what sold us. We have no doubt she’ll address equity gaps exposed by the pandemic and advocate for those severely affected: essential workers, small business owners, first responders and contributors to the gig economy.
For House Position 2, we recommend incumbent Jesse Johnson, 30. He had a brief stint in the Legislature this year after being plucked from the Federal Way City Council and appointed to replace Rep. Kristine Reeves. (Reeves stepped down to run for Washington’s open 10th Congressional District.)
Johnson was the right choice then, and he’s the right choice now. He grew up in the 30th, attended Federal Way Public Schools, and now works as an academic and vocational counselor for the school district, looking out for the community that looked out for him.
The University of Washington alum is committed to strengthening equity in schools and the juvenile justice system. He was the youngest City Council member in Federal Way history and in his brief three years, he established a youth apprenticeship program and a senior advisory commission.
Johnson’s legislative priorities were clear during the short session. He sponsored bills addressing homelessness, foster youth and behavior health. But he’s not a lock-step Democrat. He’s conflicted on mass-transit issues, thinks Sound Transit needs more accountability and once testified against a project in his neighborhood..
The other candidates for Position 2 are Republicans Chris Dowllar, Mark Greene and Jack Walsh. Dowllar and Greene declined our Editorial Board interview, so by default, Walsh, 62, owner of a liquid-nitrogen ice-cream business, presents as the more credible GOP alternative in the primary election.
Walsh joined Johnson in giving a clear-eyed assessment of the challenges facing small businesses and working families. But Johnson stood out in his interview session, just as Taylor did in hers.
The 30th District has had a series of high-caliber African-American representatives; Reeves followed soon after Rep. Roger Freeman died of cancer in 2014. It’s remarkable, even historic, that there may soon be two at the same time, as America’s George Floyd social reckoning continues.
But that’s not reason enough to elect Taylor and Johnson. Their strong policy chops, combined with a focus on issues such as good education for the young and dependable care for the old, will benefit Washingtonians well beyond the greater Federal Way area.
ABOUT OUR ENDORSEMENTS
The News Tribune Editorial Board interviewed candidates and did other research before making our picks in the Aug. 4 primary election. For races with only two candidates, we will wait until general election season. Endorsements are intended to promote civic discourse and encourage voters to dig deeper. Board members include: Matt Misterek, editorial page editor; Karen Irwin, editorial writer; Matt Driscoll, local news columnist; and Pamela Transue, community representative and former president of Tacoma Community College.