The Daily World recently reached out to the candidates in the contested races in and affecting Grays Harbor County and asked the candidates to participate in a written Q&A via email. Each candidate was asked the same questions. Ballots will be mailed out no later than Oct. 16, and the general election is Nov. 3.
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Incumbent Joel McEntire, R-Cathlamet, is running against Democrat challenger Terry Carlson for a seat representing the 19th Legislative District in the Washington House of Representatives. Responses have been lightly edited.
Terry Carlson
The Daily World: What life or professional experience will you bring to bear if elected? If running for reelection, what has your experience in-office taught you about the duties of that office?
Terry Carlson: I’ve worked in the timber industry and have been involved in unions. I’ve served and currently serve as president of the Cowlitz Wahkiakum Central Labor Council where I advocate for my members. I’ve always been labor and I’ve always supported labor because that’s been my life. I’ll always stand up for the working class.
TDW: What are your top priorities if elected?
Carlson: My top priorities are lowering costs for working families in the 19th District, investing in our infrastructure, child care, and rural health care. I’m also focused on advocating for our farmers and fishermen so they have the right to repair their own equipment and so it's easier and affordable to farm and fish in our district. I want our district to have a voice in Olympia so Seattle isn’t dictating our lives down here in rural Washington. We need more investment from the state so we can bring more jobs, bring down costs for working families, and protect rural communities.
TDW: What is your long-term vision for your constituents, specifically in Grays Harbor County?
Carlson: My long term vision for our district is for working families to have some relief. Working people shouldn’t be footing the bill for everything in our state. I want to see our infrastructure modernized, I want to see unions and labor protected, I want to see our farmers and fisherman thrive. I want everyone in the 19th to have access to quality child care and healthcare. I want to see our district thriving again. These are issues important not only to Grays Harbor County but to every community in our district.
Joel McEntire
The Daily World: What life or professional experience will you bring to bear if elected? If running for reelection, what has your experience in-office taught you about the duties of that office?
Joel McEntire: As the incumbent state representative, I have learned that my main role is to be the representative voice of the people in the process of lawmaking. As we pass laws in Olympia, I must decide how my constituents would react, hearing about the legislation we work on.
This can be difficult in a divided community on particular issues, but that is the challenge of the job. I am also trusted with safeguarding our state and federal constitutions.
TDW: What are your top priorities if elected?
McEntire: My top priorities at this time are to fix our broken school building and repair programs, which treat schools differently depending on the prosperity of the area. Poorer areas get left behind, and that isn’t fair to our children. I also wish to work on permitting reform for industrial projects in our community.
TDW: What is your long-term vision for your constituents, specifically in Grays Harbor County?
McEntire: Simply put, I want our community to be a place that our children choose to stay in. This is the true metric of a great community. Do our children find ways to leave, or find ways to stay? I work for the latter.
