Teri Hickel, the Republican in the race for the 30th Legislative District, has the makings of a smart, energetic and pragmatic legislator.
THE 30th Legislative District epitomizes the swing district. Centered around Federal Way and straddling Pierce and King counties, it has elected an equal measure of Republicans and Democrats to the state House for a decade.
With the death of state Rep. Roger Freeman last year, a seat in the House is on the fall ballot. The district needs moderate, independent-minded leaders to represent a growing suburban constituency concerned about jobs, transportation and schools.
The Times recommends:
Teri Hickel
30th Legislative District
Strengths: Strong civic ties to Federal Way; willingness to act independently
Hickel, a Republican, has a sound understanding of the challenges Washington faces in complying with the state Supreme Court’s education-funding McCleary decision and has a nuanced understanding of her district’s needs for congestion relief. Hickel’s pro-choice position shows a willingness to act independently. ..."
Teri Hickel fits that mold the best. A first-time candidate, Hickel has strong civic ties to Federal Way through a nonprofit she founded focused on youth leadership, as an interim CEO of the Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce and through her volunteer work in local schools.
Hickel, a Republican, has a sound understanding of the challenges Washington faces in complying with the state Supreme Court’s education-funding McCleary decision and has a nuanced understanding of her district’s needs for congestion relief. Hickel’s pro-choice position shows a willingness to act independently.
Her opponent, Rep. Carol Gregory, is a Democrat who was appointed to Freeman’s seat in January and shows much less of that critical component of leadership. She was aligned on critical issues with the powerful state teachers union, which she once led. And she voted against an 11.9-cent increase in the gas tax, even though the transportation package it funded was, by Gregory’s own admission, “very good for Federal Way.”
The winner of this election will be an important addition to the House, which is currently split 51 Democrats to 47 Republicans. Adding a moderate voice such as Hickel’s could provide balance and help pull the chamber to the political center.
Hickel needs to bone up on some public policies, including the value of research at the state universities. But overall, Hickel has the makings of a smart, energetic and pragmatic legislator who would serve the 30th Legislative District well.