Sue Forde is running to represent the 24th Legislative District in the Washington House of Representatives. Forde (R) is challenging the incumbent Michael Chapman (D). We recently reported how Chapman’s campaign is funded almost entirely, more than 95%, by lobbyists and PACs from outside his district.

The 24th Legislative District covers Jefferson, Clallam and most of Grays Harbor Counties. Forde sat down with Steve Marble, former supervisor for the Clallam Conservation District, and currently a tugboat captain and Vice President of the North Olympic Farm Bureau, to answer questions for the Port Townsend Free Press.

Why are you running for State Representative?

Forde: I’m running because we need a change and balance in Olympia, to less overreaching government, fewer taxes, and common sense representation of the 24th District where we live, raise our families, and work — instead of the Seattle and I-5 corridor.  Our current legislators, based on their voting records, and with a 70% increase in the budget since Governor Inslee took office, are advocates of taxing more, spending more and regulating more. This does not serve the people of our rural district well. I offer a different choice, toward taxing less, spending less, and streamlining government — representing the people of OUR district, not Seattle and the I-5 corridor.

What is the difference between you and your opponent?

Forde:  For more than two decades, my opponent has worked in government positions, first as county commissioner and now as a state representative. Many folks I’ve spoken with say he’s lost touch with the common people. One example is his recent mailer claim of being “second to none” in “supporting small business”. Factually, he scored an “F” with the Washington Small Business Association (NFIB), and an “F” with the Association of Washington Business, based on his voting record. He also voted for a tax increase on small service businesses.

By contrast, I have worked in the private sector throughout my teenage and adult life and have a lot of “life” experience. I’ve taught at community college and at a private accredited high school; raised Saanan goats, played in a rock and roll band, and started up, owned, operated and sold several small successful businesses, including an escrow company, and a print shop. For the past 20 years, I’ve owned and operated a successful website design business.  I understand what it’s like to meet payroll, hire employees and comply with the myriad of state-required regulations. Small business is the backbone of our nation and state, employing more than 80% of the workers. We need to help them recover from the shutdown for COVID.    

I’ve also worked for large title insurance companies as an employee, a certified senior escrow officer, and as a branch manager.  I understand young workers’ struggles to bring home sufficient pay to cover rent and food.  As many of you have done, I worked hard to achieve the American dream, possible in our beloved country because of our constitutional, republican form of government protecting our freedom to strive for higher living standards, other success, and happiness.  We are losing our freedom to improve our lives.  It’s alarming to me to see how far adrift we have gone, away from these God-given freedoms toward a top-down, big government-dictated society.

My opponent has a different worldview.  He promotes big government control over our lives. His record shows that he believes in increasing taxation, spending taxpayers’ money for all manner of government projects, and regulating our businesses and lives excessively, at a continuing loss of personal freedom. An example is the passage of the state-mandated comprehensive sex ed bill starting in kindergarten, as young as age five.  Under this bill, passed party-line by Democrats, parents, local school boards and teachers would not have control over their children’s education. This bill needs to be repealed (Referendum 90 is on the ballot to do just that), and replaced with one where parents and local school boards will choose the program (Initiative 1109 is one such effort, with signatures being gathered now).

I believe that smaller government is best, and that government should encourage the free enterprise system to work the way it’s intended.  Competition brings better service and products, while reducing the cost to the consumer.  State government can be streamlined for better efficiency and lower costs.

What effect do you think defunding the police in Seattle will have on us here in our District?

Forde:  There are multiple adverse effects to defunding our police.  Regarding what’s happening in Seattle, we see not only people and businesses suffering from riots and destruction as police are required to withdraw, but an exodus from that city out to our rural areas where housing availability is entirely inadequate.  

Many folks with whom I’ve spoken are also concerned about the increasing number of transients on our streets, and the potential crime increase in defunding the police.  We should be safe in our homes and communities. Crimes should be prosecuted, and people have the right to bear arms for self-protection. My opponent has voted to impair Second Amendment rights with 13 different bills (as well as establishing a “Sanctuary State” – SB 5497), and our guaranteed rights under our State Constitution, Article 1, Section 24:  “The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired…”  

We need to stand united to solve this problem – standing for our front-line protectors – our local police forces – and addressing the growing homeless situation.  

With the COVID-19 shutdown, especially of small businesses, what are your thoughts about recovery?

Forde:  Like a dictator, our governor has issued arbitrary, illogical, and unfair orders. He has picked winners and losers.  He allowed big box stores to remain open and shut down small businesses.  Government construction projects went full-steam ahead while private construction businesses were forced to close.  Pot shops could open, while church congregations were not allowed to meet.  

Additionally, our governor has refused to call a special legislative session so another branch of government could rightfully assist with a fair, constitutional solution and reduce destructive consequences to our economy, people, and our freedom. 

I fault the Democrat majority in the legislature as well.  For months, Republicans have been calling for a special session, but Democrats won’t join for the required two-thirds vote to convene.  So, our representatives’ (and our) voices continue to go unheard at the legislative level.

Once allowed to reopen, there will be – and already have been – businesses closed forever.  I’ve spoken with many of these small businesses’ owners who have poured their heart and soul into saving, planning, organizing, hiring employees, working to become successful, and providing their communities with goods and services.  

For recovery, small businesses will require support.  There are a variety of ways to do so – especially with tax reductions and/or forgiveness.  Relaxing or eliminating costly and time-consuming regulations will allow business owners to focus on jobs and growth. Deregulation would enable entrepreneurs and their employees to concentrate on rebuilding business or starting new ones.

What are your main issues that you’d like to address?

Forde: (1) Getting our economy rolling again, bringing new businesses and good-paying jobs into our communities, and getting our children back into school. 

(2) No more new taxes or tax increases, and reduction of property taxes, which will help lower the cost of living in your home, whether you own or rent.  I will vote “no” on a state income tax, a pay-per-mile tax, higher gas taxes and more payroll taxes, all of which Democrats are talking about introducing in the next legislative session. Ten BILLION in NEW taxes were passed in 2019.  In 2020, with a Two BILLION SURPLUS, Democrats chose to spend the “extra” money, instead of returning it to the people.  My opponent voted for these. 

(2) Safety and Security for our families, which includes supporting our first line of defense against crime, our police officers and our Second Amendment rights.

(3)  Protection of our individual, constitutional rights, including faith, family, life, and freedom. This would include local control by parents and teachers. 

(4)  Education.  I propose school choice, where the money follows the child for the best education, instead of a one-size-fits-all approach.  This would include public school, private and Christian schools, vocational /technical schools, and homeschooling. 

(5)  Transparency and accountability in state government.  When “title only” bills are used to write full bills without any public input, and passed sometimes in the dead of night, that’s not right.  Our Constitution calls for a 10-day period in which there can be review and comment about proposed bills.  This tactic circumvents it, and flies in the face of the people’s right to know.  I will work to change that toward open and transparent, accountable government.

I will work hard to serve the people of the 24th District.  I have not taken funding from special interests in Seattle; the huge majority of donations to my campaign are from small businesses and individuals within our District – the people I will be representing.  My opponent, in contrast, has received the strong majority of his funding from the I-5 corridor, special interest and out of state, with a very small percentage coming from businesses and individuals within our District.  Do you think he will be representing you, or them?

I’m asking for the support and vote of each voter who believes, as I do, that we need a positive change in Olympia, with a voice through a real “citizen” representative.