We endorse: Tacoma’s Mello emerges from good field for Pierce County Council Dist. 4
Many voters this year may be torn between a pair of well-established and like-minded Tacoma candidates for Pierce County Council. They may even be tempted to flip a coin when it’s time to mark a ballot for either Tim Farrell or Ryan Mello, the name-brand Democrats running for Council District 4.
Both Farrell and Mello articulate the needs of the county with precision and understand how to move the levers of public policy. They share the progressive values of an urban district that covers large chunks of Tacoma (North and South Ends, Hilltop, downtown and the Port) as well as Fircrest and University Place.
Political newcomer Preston Anderson also brings a respectable resume, as does Javier Figueroa, the only Republican in the Aug. 4 primary election.
But ultimately, it’s Mello who emerges from what he calls “an impressive field of candidates.” The downtown Tacoma resident earns our endorsement for the office held by Democrat Connie Ladenburg, who can’t run again due to term limits.
Ladenburg has represented the district since 2013. She led a valiant but doomed fight for a one-tenth of one percent sales tax, which would generate millions in revenue for underfunded behavioral health services in Pierce County. It’s died twice in the last four years.
All four candidates for District 4 say they’d support the sales tax hike. But Ladenburg and scores of other local Democratic leaders want the torch passed to Mello, for good reason.
Mello, 41, recently ended two terms on the Tacoma City Council, during which he took outspoken stances on several environmental, equity and social justice issues, including trying to ban new fossil fuel facilities in the city. He had more success on a new Tacoma ammunition tax to pay for anti-violence programs.
One thing’s for certain: Mello puts himself out there no matter the doubters. Such initiative will be critical for the next County Council, which must contend with a pandemic, racial justice issues, affordable housing and endangered natural resources.
The University of Puget Sound alumnus co-chaired Tacoma’s first task force on Climate Change. While the idealistic spark from his post-collegiate Americorps service still burns, he’s also taken leadership roles on mundane local issues such as growth management and transit.
Mello, executive director of the Pierce Conservation District, has broad experience to draw upon on day one, if elected — most helpful for a council that’s about to lose four of its seven members.
Much the same could be said for Farrell; the 50-year-old North End resident represented District 4 on the County Council from 2005 to 2012, had to exit due to term limits, then dropped out of elective politics before this year’s comeback bid. (County term limits rules, as written, apply only to consecutive service.)
Frankly, there’s not much ideological separation between Mello and Farrell; both have deep community ties and are known as good listeners and team players.
Farrell arguably has the stronger public health credentials, given his current job as a policy director for the state Department of Health.
Anderson, 40, was born and raised in Tacoma by a single mother. An Army veteran with two Masters degrees, the Stadium District resident has done extensive work with people in crisis, including those experiencing homelessness. His clinical social work background could be an asset to the council.
Though Anderson lacks the political seasoning of the other three candidates, his future looks bright.
Figueroa, 68, is a safe conservative choice in a district that doesn’t elect conservatives. The 22-year military veteran has served on the UP City Council since 2009 and ran for Washington lieutenant governor in 2016. Economic development and putting people back to work are his campaign linchpins.
Ultimately, Mello’s the one to challenge any tepid proposals brought forward by a County Council known for fits of inertia. Pierce County residents are hurting; they need an advocate who won’t back down and has a recent record of performance to build on.
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: Stephanie Pedersen, TNT president and publisher; 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.