PORT TOWNSEND– In June, retiring Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, addressed the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce as part of her legislative victory lap.
On Monday, the same group heard from the two candidates who seek to replace her in the state House of Representatives in the November election.
“Everywhere I’ve traveled in the district, I’ve heard about how Lynn ‘adopted’ different groups,” said Clallam County Commissioner Steve Tharinger, the Democratic candidate.
“I hope to follow in her footsteps so we don’t lose the momentum that she developed over the past 18 years.”
“The only way we can get things done on the state level is for everyone to work together,” said Port of Port Angeles Commissioner Jim McEntire, who is running as a Republican.
“Washington has the most fragmented government than any state that I have seen.”
Joint appearances
Tharinger, 61, and McEntire, 60, who both live in the Sequim area, have made several joint appearances and will continue to do so during the time leading up to the all-mail Nov. 2 election, for which ballots are distributed starting Oct. 13.
The Monday forum was casual and cordial, absent of the rancor of the pre-primary gatherings that included now-eliminated candidates Jack Dwyer of Montesano and Larry Carter of Port Ludlow.
“Jim and I have been seeing a lot of each other, and I think that he recognizes that infrastructure is important,” Tharinger said.
“The key is to try to break through the party leadership and do what is best for the state and the citizens of the 24th District.”
McEntire said the state has a “spending problem” that needs to be controlled, with support provided for necessities such as infrastructure and education.
He said leaking ferries and failing bridges represent the most important state responsibilities.
State spending
McEntire said he would always listen to the will of the people when they speak clearly, and he would uphold Initiative 960, which requires a supermajority to raise taxes.
Tharinger said dollars should be invested in “essential government.”
He said he respects the initiative process but feels each initiative needs to carry a “fiscal note” that tells voters exactly what it will cost.
“The voters approved smaller [school] class sizes in an initiative,” Tharinger said.
“But there was no indication of what it would cost, and the money wasn’t available to make that happen.”
Both candidates said each could cut through the partisanship that has hampered the legislative process.
“I favor the Tip O’Neill-Ronald Reagan approach,” McEntire said.
“You beat each other’s brains out in the daytime but go have a beer together after six o’clock.”
“There has been a lack of civility,” Tharinger said.
“I think we can drop some of those ideological partisan positions and try to find a common ground.”
In his closing statement, Tharinger said he had the “skill to bring people together, solve all our challenging issues and move forward.”
McEntire’s closing statement was more succinct:
“Vote for me,” he said.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
