The 26th Legislative District is what’s termed a “swing district” — meaning it could vote either way. The Democrats are trying to hang on to their majority positioning in the House, so the races in the 26th are being closely watched. The district includes Gig Harbor, the Key Peninsula, Port Orchard and parts of Bremerton. Both House positions are on the table, with first-term incumbent Rep. Larry Seaquist, , trying to hang on, and the other position up for grabs following the retirement of Rep. Pat Lantz . In the last session, all three legislators from the district were Gig Harbor Democrats.
Seaquist said, “Voters around here really care about this election… They feel it’s a bellwether year.”
Seaquist, who is endorsed by many unions and labor organizations including the AFL-CIO, said it’s a “good year to be a Democrat,” and that his fiscal conservatism appeals to people from all parties. “I’m increasingly determined we can do a better job of strategic planning on our budget,” he said, noting he was a strategic planner for the Pentagon and known to take billions of dollars out of programs.
Seaquist, who created a nationwide stir in his first year over his bigoted comments about NASCAR fans, is running for his second term. While ranked very low with business interest groups, he’s at the top with labor unions as well as child advocacy organizations.
He said his biggest achievement to date is fiscal discipline, and his platform includes a stronger economy, controlling taxes, streamlining the WASL, health care system improvements, and overhauling the ferry system. “The ferries overhaul is cornerstone of Kitsap economy,” he said, adding he discovered the headquarters is huge, employing more than 300 people, of which 20 percent work behind desks. He wants to cut $25 million a year from the operations by trimming office staff to 10 percent, and use the funds to buy new ferries.
Marlyn Jensen, a Gig Harbor Republican, is challenging Seaquist for the seat. She is a grass-roots activist who has been involved in the political process for many years behind the scenes. She has hosted many fundraising parties at her lavish home, including events for gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi and now Attorney General Rob McKenna. Rossi and McKenna are among those who endorsed her, along with Secretary of State Sam Reed.
Jensen said she was inspired to run by Jan Angel, Kitsap County commissioner running for the other seat. “I really feel she and I have been around the block a few times,” she said.
Jensen, a real estate property management business owner, said taxes are her priority, particularly the Business & Occupation tax, the death tax, and Labor & Industries. She is critical of the current administration, which started out with more than $2 billion in surplus that ended up with more than a $2.5 billion deficit. “Leadership is supposed to be a lot of things, and one of them is the ability to look ahead,” she said.
Jensen said she could have easily sailed off into the sunset, with her retired husband, Jim, but that she’s a fighter who tells other business owners to stay and fight instead of leaving the state. “If we fight, we can change our culture and make it entrepreneurial again,” she said.
She said education funding and ferries are among her priorities, and feels Seaquist’s actions didn’t go far enough on the ferry issue. “One of the first questions I get is, ‘What are you going to do about ferries?’ It’s too little, too late.” She’s also been a vocal opponent of the toll increase on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, saying fewer people will be able to travel over it. “A lot of people are angry about the tolls and they can’t afford them,” she said.
As of mid-July, Jensen was trailing Seaquist significantly in fundraising. According to Public Disclosure Commission filings, she raised under $27,500 excluding in-kind contributions, compared to Seaquist’s $68,600. Seaquist said his goal was to raise about $200,000 by the November elections, and said that’s what it takes to get elected in a swing district. He raised nearly $230,000 in 2006 in monetary and in-kind contributions.
Jan Angel, who announced in January she would not be seeking a third term as Kitsap County commissioner, is running on the platform of tax relief and regulatory control. “I believe our citizens have spoken very loudly recently: They’re not going to pay any more property taxes,” she said.
A former business owner and Realtor with a business banking background, the Port Orchard Republican has been endorsed by several labor unions , as well as Congressman Dave Reichert, Attorney General Rob McKenna, Secretary of State Sam Reed and Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Southerland, among others.
Her other issues include transportation, education and affordable housing. Angel, who is also endorsed by the Pierce and Kitsap counties’ Affordable Housing Councils, said many of the issues are tied together; for example, regulatory control impacts affordable housing. She said 18 years after the Growth Management Act, “…unexpected consequences had profound results on our economy.” “The Hearings Board is appointed by the governor and they answer to no one. They cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars,” she said.
The first Republican in her county seat since 1968, Angel said she’s not spending time thinking about the Republicans vs. Democrats discussions, and instead is focusing on her record and what she does. “I leave it in the hands of the people, their vote will make the decision,” she said, and acknowledged the swing district seat is very important and the Democrats are going to work hard to not lose it, and will pour as much money into the race as her opponent needs.
Kim Abel, a Port Orchard Democrat who is the former mayor of Port Orchard, is opposing Angel. She was approached by Lantz, who had six terms in the House, about her interest to run for the spot. Abel said she was compelled to try it because there are certain issues that can only be solved at the state level.
She’s been endorsed by Democratic Congressman Norm Dicks but not Jay Inslee, as well as several labor unions, and all of Kitsap County’s mayors except her successor, Port Orchard’s Lary Coppola.
Angel was slightly ahead of Abel in fundraising, reporting about $41,000 and over Abel’s $38,000, excluding in-kind. At least $14,000 of Abel’s funding so far has come from unions, special interest groups and party groups, compared to about $11,000 for Angel, who’s also received contributions from about two dozen businesses.
By comparison, Lantz brought in $191,500 for the same seat in the 2006 election, and her challenger, Republican Beckie Krantz, about $35,000.
Abel dismisses the heavy criticism about her tenure as mayor, saying people’s management styles are different. “I feel I took a bit more of a regional perspective as a mayor,” she said. She also stated that during her time as mayor government became more open, with council meetings broadcast on local-access television, affordable housing was built, and infrastructure was being strengthened. She also noted that an award-winning plan for downtown development was created, but neglected to mention it was never implemented, or that the city’s comprehensive plan was never updated and was four years out of compliance with the Growth Management Act when she left office.
Her platform includes transportation , protecting seniors, expanding higher education opportunities and small business assistance, among other issues. Her top focus is the strengthening of the local economy. She said she can also help bring city issues to a regional level, and already has experience doing that from her city term.
