Clark County resident Dick Rylander addresses candidates’ unwillingness to reveal positions with voters
Dick Rylander
for Clark County Today
I have been a resident of Clark County for a total of 32-plus years. I’ve been a candidate for several offices so I understand the challenges candidates face. They want to appeal to everyone and irritate as few as possible.
In early September I reached out to residents of Clark County and asked what they (as a voter) would like to know about positions of candidates they could vote for. From that feedback I consolidated the suggestions and set up a simple Yes/No position format with room for some notes. Those questions can be seen below:
I sent an email to each of the candidates for Washington House and Senate seats in the 17th; 18th; 20th and 49th Legislative District’s on Sept. 23 using the contact email on their website(s). I asked them to respond no later than Oct. 4 explaining that responses would be shared with the public.
I received an email from one candidate asking for some clarifications.
As of Oct. 5 I received exactly ZERO (0) responses.
Why no responses? Given the level of vitriol in the political world today the candidates may be concerned about how their comments could be turned into negative attack ads. They may find some issues to be multifaceted and not easy to address simply. They might not want to be pigeon holed because of an answer. They may be concerned that the downside is greater than the upside if they respond.
A few years ago I spent several hours over coffee talking with a candidate for one of the House seats in Southwest Washington. I asked them why they avoided certain topics or were vague on others. This candidate said the consultants suggested that being vague reduced negatives and increased the chance of getting elected.
Maybe it’s best if people don’t have a lot of clarity about a candidate? I’m sure there are other reasons why none of them chose to respond.
In the end you can read what you can find AND you can contact each candidate and ask one of these questions or your own. When you learn something please share with others so we can all be better informed.
Also read:
- POLL: Should Washington Raise the 1% Cap on Property Tax Increases?
Clark County Today’s weekly poll asks whether Washington lawmakers should raise the current 1% cap on annual property tax increases. - Can $10 tolls be coming to the Interstate Bridge?Rep. John Ley examines a proposed Washington House bill that would double borrowing for the Interstate Bridge Replacement and potentially lead to high tolls affecting Southwest Washington drivers.
- Senate Republicans: WA property taxes will skyrocket under bill to remove annual capSenate Republicans are opposing Senate Bill 5798, warning it could sharply increase Washington property taxes by removing the long-standing 1% cap.
- Opinion: The stage is set for a battle royale
Rep. John Ley outlines key legislative battles in Olympia, raising concerns about tax hikes, tolling, and spending priorities in Washington state. - Inflation worries drive WA lawmakers to jack up I-5 bridge borrowing plan by $900MLawmakers in Washington have added $900 million to their borrowing plan for the I-5 bridge replacement, drawing opposition from Rep. John Ley.
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