Editorial: Norma Smith, Dave Paul our picks for 2nd District

In the race for the two state representative positions in District 10, voters should replace one incumbent and keep another.

State Rep. Dave Hayes, a Republican from Camano Island, is facing challenger David Paul, a Democrat from Oak Harbor.

During his campaign, Paul has repeatedly claimed that Hayes’ values are out of step with the district.

Paul makes a compelling argument. One of the most egregious examples is Hayes’ vote against a ban on conversion therapy, the harmful and ignorant practice of “converting” gay children to straight children. Hayes claims that the bill was too restrictive on parents, which is a chilling statement.

Yes, parents need discretion on how to raise their children — but the notion that a parent should have the right to submit a child to conversion therapy is flat out unacceptable.

State lawmakers made the right decision in instituting this ban.

Hayes also voted against a ban on bump stocks in the wake of the Las Vegas massacre. He argued that the federal government was going to handle the issue — which hasn’t happened.

Hayes also voted for a bill that would exempt state lawmakers from the state’s Open Public Records Act, a measure drafted in a rushed and secretive process in response to the state Supreme Court’s ruling that the law does apply to them.

Fortunately, Gov. Jay Inslee vetoed this bill in response to a public outcry over the state Legislature’s egregious attempt to shield itself from public records laws.

Hayes, a sergeant in the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, has been a good advocate for the district and has sponsored important bills involving law enforcement and public safety. He was involved in legislation to increase penalties for distracted driving and to remove the sales tax on feminine hygiene products.

However, Paul, a professor at Skagit Valley College, would be a better advocate for the issues that the majority of the district cares about. His experience in higher education would provide valuable insights into issues not addressed well in McCleary-related bills, among them vocational education and financial aid.

State Rep. Norma Smith, a Republican who lives Clinton, has largely voted the same as Hayes on bills involving social issues, but she has also earned a reputation as a hard-working, bipartisan lawmaker and a politician who is both involved and omnipresent in her community.

Smith sponsored ground-breaking bills on net neutrality and online privacy and was instrumental in bringing the new, larger ferries to the Clinton-Mukilteo route.

There’s no denying that Smith has worked hard on matters Whidbey Island residents care about.

Smith’s challenger, Democrat Scott McMullen, of Mount Vernon, wants to focus on such important issues as education, living wage jobs and affordable housing. McMullen, however, has faltered at public forums when pressed to share details, and he failed to show up for other meetings, a concern when we need lawmakers from our district showing up to do the job they’re elected to do.

The race between Smith and McMullen likely will be very close. We’d encourage Smith to see this as a message from her constituents if she retains her seat. She should not be putting her religious views before the values of the community she serves.