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Rep. Joe Timmons, a Democrat who won this seat in 2022, is opposed in a reelection bid by Republican Kamal Bhachu, who ran unsuccessfully for the Position 1 seat in 2022 and for Whatcom County Council in 2021.
Timmons, who has made education issues a focus, deserves an “A” for his first term. He’s articulate, has listened to his constituents and clearly loves public service. CDN’s editorial board believes he’s earned another term.
Bhachu, a hospital engineer at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, tells an inspiring story of coming to the United States as an immigrant at age 16. He owes everything he has to this country, he says, and declares that “it’s my moral duty to give back to the community.” We admire that sentiment but believe he has not yet demonstrated the solid grasp of issues demanded of a legislator.
The CDN editorial board asked both candidates what they would do to bring fair and equitable funding to the state’s school districts, given the issues with the state’s equalization factor. Timmons, who serves on the Education Committee, said flatly that the state’s formula is not working and committed to looking for fundamental changes in the way schools are funded. Bhachu, asked if there is a better funding formula for Washington schools, said he was “not completely familiar” with the issue and said he would have to get back to us.
On climate, Timmons said he strongly opposes repeal of the Climate Commitment Act, noting that repeal would mean the end of investments the state is making in the youth Ride for Free program, electrification of school buses and more charging stations for electric cars. “The transportation sector is our number one emitter in terms of carbon emissions, and so … that’s a big reason why I support the CCA,” he said.
Bhachu supports repeal of the CCA and said he believes the act has led to higher fuel prices. He said we need a more effective approach to dealing with climate change. But the approach he envisions is vague. He supports incentives for people to buy electric cars and suggested that people be encouraged to turn off unneeded lights at home and that homeless encampments be cleaned up to prevent environmental damage.
Timmons and Bhachu also disagree on repeal of the state capital gains tax. Timmons believes we should keep the tax, particularly because of the funding it provides for K-12 and early education, and notes, correctly, that it is paid only by a small number of people (a few scores in the 42nd District). Bhachu believes the capital gains tax discourages people from opening businesses in Washington and suggested, without evidence, that some may have left the state to open businesses in other states.
Both candidates were asked about the Lynden School Board’s letter to 42nd District legislators asking the legislature to review transgender athletes’ inclusion in school sports. Timmons said “we need to respect everyone and their gender identity” and, like his seatmate, Rep. Alicia Rule, lamented that school boards were spending so much time and energy on this topic when there are far more urgent education issues to resolve. Bhachu, asked about the letter, said, “I’ll have to look more into it … but I think people should compete in their gender class.”
Timmons and Bhachu both support Initiative 2066, which would prohibit state and local governments from restricting access to natural gas. Timmons, rightly in our view, changed his position after listening to constituents. “I heard from a lot of constituents, frankly, about their concerns and their costs going up,” he said.
On issue after issue, Timmons shows that he has done extensive research and sought input from his constituents and other stakeholders. (On the day of our interview, he was meeting with a school superintendent about the state funding formula).
Timmons says he loves working in the Legislature and believes state government is a place where people can still work across the aisle. He’s had 14 bills in his first term, most of those with a Republican co-sponsor. “State government is where my heart’s at,” he said. “I hope to serve in the legislature for a long time.”
We hope so, too, and strongly recommend Joe Timmons’ reelection.
How did state, Whatcom Democrats win big in a US election swinging the other way?