Readers Roundtable with Candidates:

For this year’s primary races, our readers are invited to ask candidates questions and add comments in an interactive exchange below. Here’s your chance to probe local office-seekers in a relaxed public forum where you’ll even get the chance for a couple rounds of follow-up questions!

Participating candidates have agreed to engage with commenters for at least three days following publication. Candidates can expand upon and clarify their views; voters can get a deeper look into what they have to offer. The candidate will reply daily to each posted comment during the 3-day period. Candidates can reply as expansively or as briefly as they want, optionally writing collective replies to multiple similar comments or commenters who post multiple times during the same day. Comments that violate PTFP commenting policy will be blocked or removed by moderators so won’t qualify for candidate replies.

All contenders in local primary races with at least three candidates were invited to participate in these roundtables —

Jefferson County Commissioner: 
Jon Cooke, Greg Brotherton, Marcia Kelbon

WA State Representative, District 24, Position 1: 
Sue Forde, Mike Chapman, Matthew Rainwater

WA State Representative, District 24, Position 2: 
Steve Tharinger, Darren Corcoran, Brian Pruiett

 

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S U E    F O R D E

 

My name is Sue Forde, running for State Representative (R) Legislative District 24, Position 1, against Mike Chapman – to be YOUR VOICE in Olympia and to help bring positive change, balance and common sense to our state, with strong representation for our District.

My Background:

I’ve lived, worked and raised a family in Clallam County for 33 years. My background is in business. Since retiring from a 21-year career in the title and escrow business as a certified Senior Escrow Officer and Manager, I’ve been a small business owner for the past 20.

My major in college was journalism. I have also taken various courses in escrow, accounting and business. I taught Escrow I, II and III in community college.

I’ve served as a volunteer administrator and teacher for a teen redirectional program – a successful nonprofit organization (no government funding) for teens with drugs and alcohol and other problems. I also served on the board of the Boys and Girls Club, as Farm Bureau president and was a founding member of a local Toastmasters club. You can read about my diverse background on my website – www.electsueforde.com

I was elected to two terms as Clallam County Home Rule Charter Commissioner, the second time, receiving the majority of votes overall and elected by my peers as 1st vice chair in a bipartisan vote. I’ve been politically active here for more than 20 years, standing for private property and individual rights.

I have strong family support, and my daughter Shauna is working closely with me as my campaign manager.

On a personal level, I’ve enjoyed our two dogs, a cat, chickens and for several years, raised Saanan goats. I’ve played in a variety of small bands as a keyboardist, and enjoy playing classical music, too. I love reading, researching and writing.

Why I’m Running:

The icing on the cake was this last legislative session when we had a $15 BILLION surplus in the budget, and instead of returning any of it to us taxpayers, Mike Chapman and the majority party spent it all. It was — and continues to be — an affront, especially when so many individuals, small businesses and families are still hurting due to the Covid shutdown and now, rampant inflation.

Over the years, we’ve seen an increase in taxation and regulation that intrudes upon our ability as citizens to use our hard-earned money in ways that benefit us and others at a local level, and reduces our freedoms. We’ve seen mandates (that are not law), which also adversely affect our freedoms.

We have had a trifecta (all three branches of state government run by one party) for 16 years. I believe it’s past time for some “balance” in the legislature.

I was asked to run for state representative in 2019 by my peers and friends, and ran in 2020 as a first time candidate for that position. Our legislative district covers Jefferson, Clallam and the northern portion of Grays Harbor counties; despite the Covid shutdown and the inability to campaign as usual, I lost by less than 5% of the overall vote. This campaign season, I’ve seen so much support with volunteers, and words of encouragement. I look forward to serving you, and ask for your vote in the Primary and General elections.

 

The Issues:

Higher taxes, bigger government, more bureaucracy

Mike Chapman and his majority party votes for higher taxes, for bigger government, and for more bureaucracy.

As an example, he voted straight party-line for a transportation budget that increases taxes and fees, and does little to help with our roads and infrastructure. Instead, money goes to the I-5 corridor for special interest projects. Follow the money! (About 95% or more of Chapman’s donations come from special interests, while 97% of mine come from people in our own District.)

I will vote to lower gas tax, sales tax, property taxes, the B&O tax and will vote to repeal the capital gains state income tax.

Education:

Public school now costs more than $18,000 PER STUDENT, yet students’ scores are abysmal. At a time when we see 70% of our public school children failing the math assessment test, and 52% failing the English assessment test, we need to do better to educate our children and grandchildren in the basic skills, so they graduate and can earn a good living.

Folks across party lines agree with my idea for school choice, where the money follows the child for their best education – whether it’s public school, private, vo-tech, charter or homeschooling, including special needs. (The average private school costs about $7,000 a year.) With competition comes lower costs! Let the parents choose where to send their children to school, and post curricula online so they can see what is being taught.

Housing:

I will work to roll back the Growth Management Act (GMA) to build more homes under LOCAL control, instead of an unelected, unaccountable state board. When there is more supply in housing, costs go down. I will work to streamline government to lower costs of building. It currently costs about 24% (approximately $124,000.00) in government regulations and fees to build a new home. This is unacceptable. There are good ideas from various communities to help solve the cost of housing, including moving a house instead of destroying it.

Homelessness:

As I see it, homelessness can be broken down into three categories:

(1) As a result of lost jobs or other economic situations where individuals need a hand up, not a hand-out. We need to offer the help they need to get back on their feet utilizing private and local programs wherever possible.

(2) Mental illness – With the closure of facilities to help those who have mental disabilities, there is a need to fill that gap, instead of leaving them to their own devices, often living on the streets.

(3) Drug and alcohol abuse – There are many programs available to help those who want to get clean and sober, from temporary housing to 12-step and other programs. These individuals can transition from a bad lifestyle to a better one, often becoming an active, productive member of society. Those who do not want help, but are maintaining their lifestyle through crime should be arrested for those crimes and incarcerated. Often, incarceration will lead to a change of heart, and those will get on the right path toward recovery.

We need to treat each of these areas for the best solutions while not wasting taxpayers’ money. I will work toward that goal.

Where I stand:

I support our law enforcement, and will vote to restore the law so they can defend and protect us and our property. Criminals should be handcuffed, not the police.

I will strongly defend, as I always have, our Constitutional rights. I oppose government mandates, which are a slippery slope to loss of freedoms.

In Closing:

I have been listening – and will continue to do so – to the people of our district, and will be a strong voice to serve you as YOUR VOICE in Olympia – for balance and for common sense representation – for transparency and accountability.

I’m often in Jefferson County, and hope to meet you at your door or at a neighborhood meeting at some point during the campaign! Please share your thoughts and ideas with me!

You can learn more about the issues and my campaign at my website: www.electsueforde.com, by e-mail at electsueforde@gmail.com or by phone at 360-477-8151. Please follow me on Facebook or Instagram @ Elect Sue Forde – I’m posting events and issues there daily. If you’d like to donate, volunteer or endorse me, you can do so through my website.

I’m Sue Forde, Republican for State Representative. I ask for your support and your vote in the Primary on August 2nd.

Thank you!