In the past, I have been reluctant to endorse candidates running for local government office. Inevitably, taking a public position upsets some people who disagree with your perspective or opinion.
However, with this year’s county elections, I believe I bring a unique, insider perspective to these races. So, I suppose I am going to make a few people unhappy with me.
Perhaps I am getting a little long in the tooth, and I simply don’t care as much as I once did about whether people like or dislike my opinions. With that said, here goes.
I am endorsing Scott Brummer for Lewis County commissioner. Scott and I have a working relationship, and while we have disagreed on issues in the past, this endorsement is still an easy call. Based on comments I have heard from his opponent, I do not believe that candidate would be the right fit for the citizens of Lewis County.
Scott is a thoughtful, pragmatic decision-maker who understands the complexities of county government. In my opinion, he is clearly the best choice for this position.
I am endorsing Mitchell Merrill for Lewis County auditor. I believe he is the best fit for the position and possesses the temperament and judgment necessary to serve the citizens of Lewis County effectively.
I like Mitch Townsend, and I believe he is a nice guy. However, I question whether he fully understands how the auditor’s office operates. His recent full-page advertisements in The Chronicle contain plenty of campaign rhetoric and appealing sound bites, but some of the proposals raise questions about his understanding of the office’s existing responsibilities.
For example, one of his campaign bullet points reads, “Audit/Open the Book” and “Financial Transparency.” Those are already established functions of the auditor’s office, which performs this work quite proficiently. Additionally, the county undergoes an annual audit by the Washington State Auditor’s Office, and that process is thorough. County financial records are public records and are available to the public upon request.
Tom Stanton has served the county for many years and oversees election administration within the auditor’s office. He has consistently demonstrated the highest level of integrity in managing this department and works closely with the Secretary of State to ensure an efficient county election process.
When it comes to election administration, my philosophy is simple: If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Everyone wants election reform at the state level, but a county auditor’s ability to influence statewide policy is limited. Having engaged in that process myself, I can attest that our influence is minimal at best.
Mitchell Merrill is more than just a CPA. I have had several very good conversations with him, and I believe he is a thoughtful, capable individual with a genuine desire to serve the citizens of Lewis County. He strikes me as exceptionally sharp, and his leadership style reminds me of that of his predecessor.
Speaking of his predecessor, Larry Grove deserves our gratitude for his leadership and his contributions to financial decision-making throughout more than 30 years of service to Lewis County. He leaves the county in excellent financial condition compared with similarly sized counties across Washington State.
More endorsements to come.
Arny Davis
Lewis County treasurer
