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Sen. Liz Lovelett, a Democrat, is seeking reelection in the 40th District. Opposing her, as he did in 2020, is Republican Charles Carrell, who retired last year from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.
The Cascadia Daily News Editorial Board enthusiastically supports Lovelett — and this is an easy call. In an interview with the board, she was articulate, clear and unequivocal, and took positions we believe are in the best interests of her district.
She has a strong record of listening to her constituents and chairs or serves on committees whose work has a significant impact on her district, which encompasses south Bellingham, parts of Skagit County, including Anacortes, and all of San Juan County.
Carrell does not seem to be campaigning, aside from some vague statements in the state voter guide. He did not respond to CDN’s requests for an interview with our editorial board. Nor did he respond to the Citizens Agenda questions sent to him. He also has not responded to requests from civic organizations such as the Bellingham City Club. According to the state Public Disclosure Commission, his campaign has had no contributions and has spent no money.
It’s hard to see how a candidate who does not engage with voters can expect those voters to send him to the state Senate. Is this how he would engage with his constituents if elected?
In responding to Citizens Agenda questions and in her interview with the CDN editorial board, Lovelett offered smart, well-reasoned answers.
On dealing with the housing crisis, she noted that as chair of the Local Government, Land Use and Tribal Affairs Committee, she has helped pass policies on housing diversity, first-time home buyers assistance and transit-oriented development, among others. As she put it, we should be “encouraging density where density belongs.” She also vowed to continue to be a strong voice to protect renters through programs such as rent stabilization.
On the issue of education funding, she showed a deep understanding of the needs of her district, noting that school districts in the 40th District have been hit particularly hard by changes in the levy formula. She said it was important to find “new sources of revenue that are hitting the people in our communities that can most afford it and taking that burden off of the backs of working people who really can’t.”
We were impressed by Lovelett’s understanding that infrastructure and climate issues are closely entwined. “Infrastructure is the way we fundamentally deal with climate change,” she said. She strongly opposes Initiative 2117, which would repeal the Climate Commitment Act. Lovelett noted that a big chunk of money raised through the act is going into the state ferry system, which is a vital lifeline in the 40th District.
Lovelett has been — and promises to continue to be — a strong voice for reproductive rights. “I don’t need anybody in the government telling me what I can and should do with my body or how big or small my family should be.” She agreed that Washington should continue to be a sanctuary for reproductive rights.
We wish Lovelett were running against a more credible candidate. The 40th District deserves the robust debate that happens in a healthy two-party system.
The 40th District also deserves a senator who understands and responds to the needs of the district. In Liz Lovelett, the district has such a senator — and we wholeheartedly endorse her reelection.
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