In Our View: Wylie in 49th District

State Rep. Sharon Wylie, D-Vancouver, is an effective lawmaker who politically aligns well with her constituents in the 49th District. Because of that, The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends a vote for Wylie in her race against Kaitlyn Beck.

As always, this is merely a recommendation designed to foster discussion. The Columbian has faith in the ability and the desire of voters to examine the issues and study the candidates before casting an informed ballot.

Wylie was appointed to fill an open legislative seat in 2011 and has been elected by large margins twice since then. She has supported a strong progressive agenda and lists education funding and affordable housing as pressing priorities for next year’s lawmaking session. Legislatively, Wylie frequently has sponsored bills aimed at supporting small businesses or enhancing protections for consumers.

Notably, Wylie has worked with Republican Rep. Liz Pike to convince fellow lawmakers of the need to engage Oregon in discussions about replacing the Interstate 5 Bridge. That effort has fallen short thus far, but it represents Wylie’s pragmatic approach to building a consensus and working across the aisle.

Regarding the state’s duty to fully fund public education, Wylie predicts, “We’re going to need to find new revenue.” But she adds that a long-term goal would be to revamp a tax system often regarded as among the most regressive in the nation. That doesn’t, however, mean that Wylie blindly supports tax increases; she mentions, for example, a desire to eliminate the state’s Business and Occupation Tax.

Beck, 20, is a political newcomer who says she would be the youngest person and the first transgender person elected to the Legislature. But rather than rely upon the uniqueness of her candidacy, she is articulate, well-informed, and passionate about the issues. She focuses upon affordable housing, homelessness, and access to education while saying, “I have personally lived through many of the issues that are facing the 49th District.” When Wylie says, “I think our underlying values are both progressive,” Beck adds, “I’m more progressive; progressive and aggressive.”

That makes for a catchy campaign slogan, and it helps mark Beck as a political force for the future. But for now, Wylie’s experience and her proven ability to get things done make her the superior candidate. As Wylie said, “We’re going to have probably 30 percent of the new people who need to be trained that what they campaigned on isn’t practical — on both sides.” For example, Beck speaks of the need for statewide rent control, while Wylie rightly warns of unintended consequences that could result.

Meanwhile, one of the major issues facing the Southwest Washington delegation in next year’s Legislature is a need to work together on areas where common ground can be staked out, regardless of party. The region’s delegation has been fragmented by ideological rigidity in recent years — to the detriment of constituents. Wylie can and should be one of the leaders is transforming local lawmakers from a collection of individuals into a coalition that works for the betterment of the communities in this part of the state.

With Wylie and Beck holding similar political philosophies, the race hinges on two factors in Wylie’s favor: Experience and pragmatism. Both items are strengths for the incumbent, and they warrant her return to Olympia. The Columbian recommends a vote for Sharon Wylie as representative from the 49th District.