Editor,

I urge you to vote for Helen Price Johnson for Washington State Senate.

I’ve followed Helen’s political career since she attended a leadership seminar I gave for new school board members back in the day. It was obvious then she had a bright political future. She’s done a spectacular job as a commissioner for Island County; she’s bright, courageous, honest, hard-working and cares passionately about the future of the people she serves.

I’ve known Helen’s opponent, Ron Muzzall, since he and I faced off in land-use battles in Island County in the 1990s. Ron’s a good guy but strung too far right to represent the people of District 10. Washington Conservation Voters gives him a big fat zero on his environmental votes. That’s compared to Helen’s strong support for keeping our land, water and air safe.

I’m also concerned that Ron has raised only a quarter as much campaign cash from individuals as has Helen, but 15 times as much from businesses, which tells me a whole lot about where Ron’s head will be tilted when the wind blows.

Finally, Ron’s starring role at that infamous Libertarian July 4 event in Oak Harbor — no masks and no social distancing in flagrant violation of state regulations — demonstrates that for some reason today Ron seems to lack the common sense he showed 25 years ago.

Let’s keep him down on the farm.

John Graham

Clinton