Two years ago, the Renton Reporter endorsed local businesswoman Marcie Maxwell in her first run for the state Legislature, knowing she was a good fit for her entire 41st Legislative District.
As a freshman legislator, she made her mark, especially in the area of education, and has earned another two years to continue her work in that arena that’s so important to our local and state economic development.
Just as importantly, Maxwell, a Democrat, is the one state legislator with deep ties to Renton through her real-estate business, her community involvement and her understanding of how Renton works. At the same time, she reaches out to other communities in her 41st Legislative District. She understands them, too.
(Of course, we would be remiss in not mentioning state Sen. Margarita Prentice, who although she lives on unincorporated West Hill has been for many years one of Renton’s staunchest champions in the state Legislature.)
Maxwell’s opponent in the Nov. 2 general election for her House Position 1 seat is Peter Dunbar of Mercer Island, an anesthesiologist at Harborview Medical Center and an associate professor in the University of Washington Medical School.
This his first run for elective office; in his professional career he was president of the Washington Medical Association. Dunbar casts himself as a Libertarian, believing in individual liberty and small government.
His medical background gives Dunbar an informed position on reforming health care, an important issue facing Washington state and the nation. He frames the issue as the COST of providing health care to all. Maxwell counters that ACCESS to medical care is what health-care reform is all about. This is an important difference that helps distinquish the politics of the two candidates.
Maxwell and Dunbar say they are strong advocates for education. But Maxwell has spent two years in the Legislature on key committees that deal with education and eight years as a Renton school board member proving that’s true.
‘Yes’ on county charter amendments
Three amendments to the county charter are on the ballot. All – amendments 1, 2 and 3 – deserve a “Yes” vote.
Amendment 1 merely adds language to the preamble of the County Charter to say that ensuring responsibility and accountability applies to “local and regional governance and service.”
Amendment 2 gets rid of a campaign finance annoyance. Now, candidates must file the same receipts and expenditure form to both the county and state. Amendment 2 would eliminate this duplication.
Amendment 3 changes collective bargaining to let the sheriff negotiate all aspects of public safety work rules except wages and benefits, which would stay with the county executive.
It clearly makes sense to give the sheriff, who knows how and where deputies should be assigned, the power to negotiate that with the unions.
The Editorial Board
The Renton Reporter convened an Editorial Board to interview the two candidates for House Position 1 in the 41st Legislative District. The incumbent is Marcie Maxwell of Renton; her challenger is Peter Dunbar of Mercer Island.
Members of the board, Publisher Ellen Morrison, Editor Dean A. Radford and Renton business owner Mary Clymer interviewed the two candidates, before casting their votes.
