Evan Smith: An independent candidate for Congress

By Evan Smith

ShorelineAreaNews Politics writer

Democratic U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee has three opponents on the August primary ballot – Republicans Matthew Burke and James Watkins and independent David Schirle,

Schirle, a Lynnwood podiatrist and retired military physician’s assistant, told me Monday that he is running as an Independent to give voters a choice.

He said that he can’t run as either a Democrat or Republican because neither party has taken needed steps to reduce the federal deficit.

Schirle said he recognizes that an independent can’t raise the money that Democrats and Republicans can but says that he doesn’t want to owe anything to anyone other than the voters of the 1st Congressional District.

He recognizes that independents rarely draw a significant number of votes but believes that an independent candidacy is the best way to get his message out,

His message: that Congress should not spend a penny more than it has and that he would vote against any appropriation of money beyond what the government has, even if it’s for something he believes in like national defense.

How will he get his message out? Through the voters’ pamphlet, through community forums and through whatever advertising that he can afford.

He doesn’t expect the election in the 1st Congressional District to be as expensive as those in some districts that the parties are targeting.

All four candidates will appear on the August primary ballot, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the November general election.

The 1st Congressional District includes north King County. including Shoreline most of Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Kenmore and Kirkland; south Snohomish County; and part of Kitsap County.