By Heidi Grover
February 2, 2016 ~ As the eyes of the country focused on the Presidential Caucuses this week, the greater Seattle area was beginning to hear rumblings from the 7th District Congressional race.
As to be expected in the Seattle area the few online and print media outlets who engage in politics have already begun their shadow-campaigns of support for their favorites via guest editorials and other articles about the race which focus solely on one or two candidates and ignore the others.
For those taking the time to examine the race there is a very clear picture of which candidates truly understand the role of a U.S. Congressperson and those that do not.
Here’s my understanding of each candidate based on what I’ve seen, read, and heard from the candidates and their campaigns:
Jeff Stilwell– Stillwell is co-owner of MaJe Gallery in downtown Edmonds and founder of the Edmonds Art Walk.
Stillwell brings his creativity to the race with visionary thinking about such things as space research using a carbon strand/space elevator, as well as traditionally “safe” topics such as closing the gender wage gap, and ensuring nationally funded PreK and college (2 years). Stillwell is focused on foreign policy as well, believing that a series of global wi-fi satellites can help to win the hearts & minds war against ISIS and other terrorist organizations around the world.
Opinion: If you are looking for an “outsider” to shake things up Stillwell might be the candidate for you. He’s playing it safe with hot topics such as educational funding and closing the gender-wage gap, but he’s bringing new ideas to the table in areas of technology and combating terrorism.
Pramila Jayapal- Surprising many who support her election in 2014, First-term State Senator, Pramila Jayapal has announced her run for the seat. Whether this means that Jayapal feels she has completed all that she promised to do if elected to the State Senate, or if she simply feels she can be more effective in Congress, only she knows. But the Jayapal campaign is already running full steam with endorsements and media support pouring in.
But what will Jayapal do with the Congressional seat if elected?
Jayapal has stated she will work to increase the minimum wage, and will also support Elizabeth Warren’s plan for debt-free college. She is a strong supporter of Planned Parenthood and promises that she will “fight to expand access to women’s health care, and that includes access to abortion care.”
Jayapal is also resistant to immigration reforms that deporting undocumented aliens; reminding voters that she is also an immigrant, coming to America (legally) at 16 years of age from India.
Opinion: Overall not a lot of originality in the platform, and no expressed plans relating to foreign policy, but if you are looking for someone to support the progressive domestic policies that are already on the table, Pramila Jayapal might be the candidate for you!
Joe McDermott– King County Councilman Joe McDermott is not related to the retiring congressman who’s seat he is seeking, but is being hailed as a strong contender due to the name recognition, along with Joe McDermott’s own history of public service.
McDermott, (actually, if you don’t mind I will call him Joe in this article so as not to confuse readers). Joe, is in his second term on the County Council, and previously served in the State Senate.
Like Jayapal, Joe’s focus seems to almost completely on domestic issues, eyeing campaign finance reform and gun control as the two most important topics for his campaign. Joe has promised to hold gun manufacturers accountable for violent acts committed using their products.
Opinion: Much like Jayapal there’s not a lot of originality in Joe McDermott’s campaign, and nothing stirring in the foreign affairs area. But if you want a candidate that has been around politics for a while, has a record of promoting progressive values, and has promised to go after gun manufacturers, then Joe McDermott might be your candidate!
- Donovan (Don) Rivers– Don Rivers has a strong resume of community involvement and political engagement dating back almost 30 years. The former Director of the SPD African American Community Advisory Council has advised Washington icons such as former Governors Albert Rosellini and Norm Dicks, and campaigned to elect Booth Gardner, Mike Lowry, Gary Locke, and Christine Gregoire.
Rivers touts both foreign and domestic business experience, and believes his understanding of global business practices make him the most qualified for the position.
Rivers also brings a comprehensive understanding of Race & Social Justice issues to the race that can only be gained by someone who saw first-hand the genesis of the civil rights movement. We can only imagine the benefit of having someone with this life-experience serving our great state in Congress.
Opinion: Rivers seems to be the most competent candidate when it comes to both foreign and domestic policies. His understanding of world-business and world-politics might come in handy in the role of Congressperson, and his personal history might make him the right man to tackle the race & social justice issues that we are facing at home.
Brady Walkinshaw– Second term State Rep. Brady Walkinshaw was the first to announce he was running for the seat, and does seem to have a strong following in his district and support from local media, which will work in his favor. Walkinshaw’s platform is also fairly safe when it comes to Seattle politics, focusing on raising the minimum wage and decriminalizing marijuana.
Opinion: Like his fellow legislators Pramila Jayapal and Joe McDermott, Walkinshaw is heavy on the local issues, and absent on ideas relating to foreign policy. Still, if you are looking for a candidate to support the progressive domestic policies that are already on the table, Pramila Jaya… Ooops I mean Joe McD… Jeepers! I mean Brady Walkinshaw might be the candidate for you.
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