Last Wednesday evening at Bellevue’s swanky, new City Hall, the Bellevue Downtown Association held a forum for candidates in the 41st and 48th LDs. It was mostly what you’d expect this late in the campaign, but there was one big surprise…Greg Bennett, who is struggling to explain why voters should replace the highly regarded incumbent, Senator Rodney Tom, is now calling for overturning one of Rodney Tom’s biggest achievements: passing simple majority for school levies (which was approved by voters in the 48th LD by 57 percent). Yikes!
I have seen his yard signs (he has had no trouble raising money), but I had never seen Greg Bennett, who’s challenging Rodney Tom for the senate seat in the 48th. Greg took no time to lash out at Rodney for being a part of the problem in Olympia. But then he proceeded to support many of the positions Rodney has been leading in the Legislature (privatize liquor sales, eliminate the state printer, reign in spending, accountability for student achievement, etc.).
No one can accuse Rodney of being too partisan! Rodney is one of the most independent-minded legislators on either side of the aisle. (Rodney drew laughs when he said he was the definition of bipartisan since he’s been a member of both the Republican and the Democratic caucuses.) He is one of a handful of legislators (Rep. Ross Hunter is another) who actually understands the state budget. And his bona fides as a fiscal conservative are the stuff of headlines.
My bet is Rodney will be returned to Olympia because he reflects the values of his constituents: they want legislators who are more interested in solving problems like transportation and access to higher education than partisan politics. Same goes for Rep. Ross Hunter in his race against former Republican Party chair, Diane Tebelius.
I also attended this forum and was appalled at the negative tone Bennett and Tebelius brought to the event. The candidates in the 41st district were civil. Bennett was just plain angry and practically spitting when he had the floor. All he has done is raise money. He has no grip on the issues, just aggressive spewing.