Williams endorses Reykdal as successor

The past two legislative sessions were the toughest we’ve seen locally.

With roughly $5 billion in cuts, we saw workers laid off or furloughed, compounded by huge cuts to K-12 schools, Evergreen and SPSCC, care at six local nursing homes, in-home service hours for meal and incontinence assistance, etc.

More should distinguish Democrats from Republicans than how they gut vital programs.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s party cannot cut its way to prosperity. Once upon a time, our values – not just our party label’s spelling – made us different from Republicans.

I promised to support the candidate for my seat backed by working families’ champions. Chris Reykdal is that candidate. With one exception (a dual endorsement), he’s earned sole support from every labor union endorsing. It’s a great vote of confidence from those very careful in screening after being kicked in the teeth by political timidity and appeasement of powerful interests like big oil.

Reykdal shines among some great candidates. I’m betting my 8-year-old son’s future on him. I’m betting he’ll fight for us alongside Karen Fraser and Sam Hunt — two of the most incorruptible public figures around.

Too often, politics is dynastic. Politicians are selected, more than elected, because they’re in the right cliques. They’re selected because they’ll fit in a system where the dominant attitude is not liberal, nor conservative, but, “Happy to be here.”

I’m betting Chris Reykdal will be different.

With two little kids, he’s got a huge stake in his own success. So do we.

REP. BRENDAN WILLIAMS; D-Olympia, 22nd District