Some 50 mostly masked and generally partisan western Skagit valley residents came to the La Conner Civic Garden Club last Thursday to hear State Rep. Debra Lekanoff (D-Bow) extol her colleague, State Rep. Dave Paul (D-Oak Harbor) and praise the qualities of candidate Clyde Shavers. The two candidates for Legislative District Positions 2 and 1 might have gained a few votes but they definitely increased their campaign fundraising totals as State Rep. Alex Ramel (D-Bellingham), speaking last, pitched the need for contributions to pay for getting their messages out.

The crowd was supportive but asked tough questions, mostly answered by Paul, a two term incumbent. Resolving Skagit River water issues, support for graduate students and job training leading to union positions, decline in sales tax revenue in a recession, hospitals over capacity bottlenecked by an inability to discharge patients and staffing levels and the high pay of the Skagit Regional Hospital chief executive were all shared in great detail by the questioners.

More than once the recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions reversing Roe v. Wade, limiting U.S. EPA pollution regulations and ending New York state gun control laws were brought up by the candidates Lekanoff and Ramel. In-state remedies to the court rulings require constitutional amendments. Washington’s legislature can put amendments to the state constitution on the ballot with a two thirds vote in each chamber, an unlikely possibility.

In his two terms Paul has pushed legislation supporting college admittance for high schoolers and relief for military veterans. Shavers shared his family history of public service and his military career as a U.S. Naval academy graduate with time in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now living in Oak Harbor, he has volunteered with homeless people and on environmental issues. Like Paul, he emphasized his commitment to advocate for the wide diversity of workers in the district.

Shavers and Paul will advance to the November ballot since each race has only two candidates. Ramel asked attendees to write large checks and make repeat donations saying that their August vote totals will influence larger donors, as will their fundraising totals.

State Rep. Greg Gilday (R-Camano Island) holds the position 1 seat.

Republican Karen Lesetmoe, also of Oak Harbor is challenging Paul for the district 10 position 2 seat.