In the 32nd District, a Rush to Replace Fairley

• David Baker, Maralyn Chase and Patty Butler are running for the 32nd District Senate seat

Democratic State Senator Darlene Fairley, who announced in April that she was going to retire because she hated her job in Olympia, has three candidates vying for her seat in the 32nd District (north King and southeast Snohomish counties).

State Rep. Maralyn Chase (D-32), who boasts the highest campaign contributions—$15,548 at last count on the Public Disclosure Commission website—said she can sympathize with Fairley’s frustration. “We don’t have any money in Olympia,” Chase said. “We have a revenue crisis. So I understand why she wasn’t having any fun.”

But, Chase added, she’s better prepared for the challenge because she actually likes the way the senate operates. Plus, she’s looking forward to moving up from the house. “People in the senate have more influence in the policies they propose,” Chase said.

The other two candidates for Fairley’s seat are former Democratic State Rep. Patty Butler and Kenmore’s Republican Mayor, David Baker.

Fairley did not return calls about who she is endorsing.

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In addition to leading in the money race, Chase is also leading in the race for endorsements. (Among her big backers: the Washington State Labor Council and the 32nd District Democrats.) She counts creating jobs in a tough economy as one of her top priorities.

“We probably have a million houses that need to be retrofitted,” she said, hyping her intention to rebuild the economy by producing green jobs. “I am interested in creating a new economic sector in renewable energy and am currently working with Washington State University on that. If a homeowner wants to put solar panels in his house, he will receive a rebate from the state.”

Chase is also working on an initiative to make international students feel more welcome in local schools. “Our earth is like a bright blue shiny ball—we have to learn how to get along with each other,” she said.

Chase was criticized for her efforts to introduce a carbon tax bill a few years ago that would have ended up costing the state billions of dollars. The Evergreen Freedom Foundation said she led the pack on big time spenders, which Chase said “cheapened the foundation’s credibility.” Baker has also given Chase some flak for being a “big spender,” but Chase doesn’t hold that against him. “He’s a nice guy,” she said. “We are all pretty friendly.”

Baker, a conservative businessman who has been on the Kenmore City Council for seven years, said his number one priority involves eliminating wasteful spending and reducing taxes. He’s very proud that his city hasn’t increased property taxes for the last seven years and managed to reduce utility taxes by 2 percent. “We have a senior population here and a lot of people are on fixed income,” he said. “We manage our own money. We built a brand new City Hall with $14 million and paid cash … I am on a budget, you are on a budget, and the government needs to be on a budget.” Baker said that unlike Chase, he is not a big supporter of a state income tax. “The candy tax is already hurting small businesses,” he said. “I know a lady who is selling health food bars but is a victim of this tax.”

Butler, the former state legislator, is currently back in school for business administration. She pointed out that Baker does not have any experience in the Legislature. Baker defended himself, saying that “he’s extremely active in regional and state affairs.” He has won endorsements from the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus, the Washington Taxpayers Association, and Attorney General Rob McKenna. “Fundraising is going OK,” he said. “Times are tough.” The PDC website puts Baker’s campaign contributions at $200 to date.

Butler said she is running mainly because she “wants to see new representation in Olympia.” One of her primary goals is education reform. “Teachers are angry because of the cutbacks,” she said. “My mother was a school teacher and when I looked at her retirement check compared to those in retail management, it was deplorable.”

No one has attacked Butler yet, although there has been some criticism about big businesses raising money for her. Chase has called her a fine legislator. “I want to give the district back to the people,” Butler said. “I will be ringing doorbells in the evenings to meet my constituents—I think that’s the best way to get to know them.”

Butler hasn’t received any major endorsements yet or raised a lot of money (she only has $350), but she is quick to point out that she’s only two and a half weeks into her campaign. She said she would like to ease tax burdens on middle income people. “We have to have an income tax at some point … I-1098 might be a start,” she said.

“I would not be in this race if I did not think I would win,” Butler said when asked how confident she felt about her campaign. “I have heard the stories and the frustrations. The present legislature is slamming doors on people’s faces and holding bills hostage—bills that were not going anywhere. I am tired of that, tired of the bickering.”