We endorse: Inslee easy choice for governor; Heck has edge for lieutenant governor

One question that hangs over Jay Inslee and his run for a rare third term as Washington governor is whether he’d finish serving it.

The concern persists even among some supporters. And it underpins the lieutenant governor campaign of Denny Heck, who says he’s best qualified to step in if Inslee leaves.

The Democratic governor gained attention for his climate policies amid last year’s early presidential herd, fueling speculation that he’d be on the short list for a job in a Joe Biden administration.

Inslee tried to lay that to rest in his endorsement interview with us. “I want to be governor. This is my home,” he said. “There was one federal office I was interested in, but that was not to be.”

Skeptics would surely find loopholes in his remarks. But we believe that leading Washington state is more than a consolation prize for the 69-year-old governor.

He, not Republican challenger Loren Culp, is the only one in this race with a record of juggling complex challenges such as the COVID-19 outbreak, a multi-billion dollar budget crunch and the looming threat of climate change.

The News Tribune Editorial Board strongly endorses Inslee for one more term as governor.

Washingtonians should be glad Inslee’s presidential bid flamed out early, because his undivided attention, composure and command of public policy — developed over three decades as a legislator, congressman and governor — were needed this year as our state staggered from crisis to crisis.

Yes, there have been missed opportunities; he should have done more to reach out to Republican leaders and involve the legislative branch in decision making as spring turned to summer.

Too often he gets carried away with anti-Trump rhetoric, as if forgetting he’s not running for president anymore. He referred to Trump at least nine times in Wednesday’s governor debate, and calling Culp a “mini Trump” was not a shining moment.

But Inslee’s batting average of well-reasoned, life-saving decisions during the pandemic ranks among the best US governors. Enacting a half billion dollars in early budget cuts reflected foresight and a willingness to sacrifice pet projects.

And the course corrections he’s made to reopen the economy — such as this week’s relaxed restrictions on restaurants and movie theaters — show that he, like the rest of us, is learning as he goes.

The fact that Culp advanced past the August primary is a sign of further regression for Republicans, 40 years after Washington last elected a GOP governor. The police chief of Republic, a city of 1,100 people in rural Ferry County, has never held elected office. Serving as an Army training sergeant and running a small construction business are admirable callings but inadequate preparation to lead a state of 7.6 million people.

What’s worse, Culp, 59, doesn’t see himself as a statewide leader. He’s driven by a laissez-faire, every-person-is-his-own-master disdain of government — wear a face covering if you feel like it, ignore voter-approved gun reforms if you don’t agree with them — wrapped in a strict view of the state Constitution. Which, by the way, he doesn’t trust judges to interpret.

Culp would surely agree that a soldier who repudiates military service shouldn’t be promoted to general. Likewise, a person who doesn’t believe in governing shouldn’t be elected governor.

We wish Inslee had a top-notch GOP opponent, like when he faced Rob McKenna in 2012. Iron sharpens iron, and our state can’t get enough sharp thinking from all sides right now.

Inslee told us he’s seeking reelection because he has unfinished business beyond the No. 1 goal of “stomping down” a devastating virus. It’s an encouraging list that includes leadership on racial equity and police accountability, transitioning to a clean-energy economy and protecting healthcare for hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians.

He should add closer oversight of two agencies that have dropped the ball on his watch: the Employment Security Department, which failed to promptly deliver millions of dollars in jobless benefits after he shut down the economy, and the Behavioral Health Administration, responsible for years of mismanagement and violence at Western State Hospital in Lakewood.

There’s no question, however, that Inslee has the right skills, resilience and uncynical view of governance needed to be governor — a four-year commitment we hope he will honor.

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If Inslee does leave early, his successor should have a comparable public service resume and proven leadership chops. That’s why we endorse US Rep. Denny Heck for Washington’s open lieutenant governor seat.

Heck, 68, has distinguished himself as a state legislator and House majority leader, chief of staff to Gov. Booth Gardner and four-term representative for the 10th Congressional District.

The longtime Olympia resident can even boast something Inslee cannot: outstanding private sector experience. He co-founded a tech company that grew to 300 employees. The “career politician” label that Culp and other outsiders love to hang on Inslee and other insiders definitely doesn’t stick to Heck.

In his interview with our Editorial Board, Heck cut straight to the fundamental question: “Is the person prepared to become governor if Vice President Biden is elected and he taps Jay for a position?” And just as quickly to the answer: “I offer myself as someone who is eminently prepared to do that.”

But Heck also acknowledged a lieutenant governor’s chief duty is presiding over the Senate. Heck’s opponent and fellow Democrat, Sen. Marko Liias, has the edge in that area.

Liias, 39, of Lynnwood, has been a capable majority floor leader for four years, knows the rules of the Senate chapter and verse, and won the endorsement of the current lieutenant governor, Cyrus Habib.

The two best candidates advanced to the general election, and voters can’t go wrong with either man. But we’ll hold to our primary election endorsement of Heck.

ABOUT OUR ENDORSEMENTS

The News Tribune Editorial Board interviewed candidates and did other research before making our picks for the 2020 election. 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; Pamela Transue, community representative and former president of Tacoma Community College; and Jim Walton, community representative and former Tacoma city manager. Read more about the candidates in our online Voter Guide.

This story was originally published October 10, 2020 at 7:00 AM.