This 12 months, voters in Washington’s eleventh Legislative District have three candidates to select from to symbolize them for the subsequent two years. Christian Rombough of Kent is a journeyman union ironworker and an Military veteran who desires to maintain job development in Washington. He stated street work and different state development jobs ought to go to Washington firms so as “to construct a greater future.”
Ashley Fedan of Renton is a registered nurse anesthetist and Navy veteran. She stated she want to broaden her service to folks with a platform based mostly on healthcare. She cited statistics that present the eleventh District particularly is in want of higher entry to healthcare and extra inexpensive housing.
Fedan, a Democrat, and Rombough, a Republican, are difficult Rep. David Hackney, D-Renton. First elected to the Place 1 seat in 2020, Hackney has been a robust voice for smart police reform, public security and client fraud points. Although Fedan and Rombough supply distinctive views, Hackney’s public coverage expertise makes him a better option for the eleventh District.
Hackney brings with him authorized expertise in company, authorities and nonprofit sectors. Public security, anti-fraud and environmental points have garnered a lot his consideration throughout his two phrases within the Legislature.
“I’ve been a robust advocate for elevated funding for the police. South King County has a number of the highest data of each property and violent crime charges within the state,” Hackney advised The Instances editorial board. ”I consider legislation enforcement — we have now to carry them accountable — however we even have to ensure there’s sufficient assets for them to do their job. These points should not extremely popular within the Democratic caucus.”
In relation to public security, Hackney supported SB 5974, which created primary {qualifications} for elected and appointed sheriffs and police chiefs, corresponding to 5 years of legislation enforcement expertise and background checks.
Final 12 months, he sponsored HB 1536, which might have elevated the penalty for juveniles who commit crimes with weapons. The invoice didn’t get sufficient help.
Just lately he advocated for the state to repair its 15,000-case backlog of DUI instances — the results of a scarcity of capability to course of blood samples in a well timed method. Senate Invoice 5880 will enable licensed non-public labs to course of a number of the toxicology checks.
However he voted in favor of the 9.9% revenue tax on incomes above $1 million.
“It was not an ideal invoice, however I feel it was the very best invoice obtainable,” Hackney stated. “Washington has one of the crucial regressive tax system within the nation. This was a chance to make it much less regressive and extra progressive. There’s not many individuals who will probably be paying the millionaires tax within the eleventh.”
He stated he would have appreciated for the invoice to have been broader to incorporate greater than a clawback on gross sales taxes for hygiene merchandise.
Hackney has been a gentle voice for the eleventh District. Voters ought to ship him again to Olympia.
