Tried and True Education Champ

Sunday mornings are a casual affair in my household. As I sipped my coffee and read The Seattle Times, I came across a great article about Rep. Helen Sommers. I laughed a little as I read this line out loud to my roommate:

They quickly learned Sommers' favorite word when it came to spending requests: no. She'd often put it more diplomatically, however, said Appropriations Vice Chairman Hans Dunshee. "She'd say, 'Well, we'll consider it.' That meant you were dead.

My relationship with Helen began almost four years ago as her campaign manager. Many will remember her 2004 re-election campaign when the SEIU spent over $300,000 to try and unseat her, and lost. Much of what they say is true. She is unapologetically tough, incredibly sharp, and one of the few politicians I’ve met who does not speak unless she has something important to say. However there is a lot more to her than the word “no.”

Campaign life is tough. You are sleep deprived, live on junk food, and every day is Wednesday (because you worked the past two days and will work the next two days). This stressful work environment allows you to quickly see who a person really is. Helen was always upbeat, determined and ready to fight. Case in point, doorbelling. Most campaign managers have a tough time getting their candidate to doorbell; this was never the case with Helen. Even in the 90 degree heat, she doorbelled everyday for hours and never complained. I was always impressed with sharp wit, results-oriented approach to problem solving, and a sense of gratitude. And, she even found time to take a break during the chaos. She pushed me to take breaks and retreated to her garden regularly (even if it was only for 15 minutes before doorbelling).

It wasn’t until after the campaign, however, did I fully understand and appreciate what I was fighting for. I remember having dinner with Helen during the 2005 Legislative Session. She had just invited a UW scientist to present information to the Appropriations Committee on early brain research. She could not stop talking about how amazed she was and immediately began to discuss ways to invest in early learning programs. Helen was also a strong proponent of higher education. I remember telling her about my college loans. She asked me about my payment plan and interest rates and I told her that my current plan would have my loans paid off by 40ish. She looked at me, shocked, and began to brainstorm programs and investments that would target this growing problem.

She is one of the few people who get it —“it” being the link between quality education and socioeconomic development. This commitment coupled with her results-oriented tenacity made her an incredible force for education. For her, investing in education was not only based on the right to opportunity; it was a smart budget strategy for Washington state.

Thank you, Representative Sommers, for setting such a strong precedent in both leadership and commitment to education in Washington state.