Evan Smith: Coday says he has a message that resonates

By Evan Smith

ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

Republican candidate Art Coday says that he has a message that is resonating with voters.

Coday and Democrat Cindy Ryu have qualified for the November ballot for the 32nd District State House of Representatives seat that current Rep. Maralyn Chase is vacating to run for the State Senate.

Ryu, a former Shoreline City Councilwoman and mayor, led the final primary-election vote count with 42 percent to 38 percent for Coday and 20 percent for Democrat Doris McConnell, who was eliminated in the primary.

Coday, a Shoreline physician who primarily treats Medicare and Medicaid patients said Wednesday that his top priorities include job creation, promoting economic recovery for all Washingtonians, demanding government accountability, providing outstanding education, increasing public safety, improving health care, and protecting the environment. It also includes slashing areas of spending which are found to be wasteful and not bringing value to our state.

“Job creation is a huge issue for many of our voters; unemployment is high, and I have met many individuals and families in our district who have been struggling with unemployment and all that goes with it, including the loss of their homes,” he noted.

“People want a representative who understands their struggle and will do whatever is possible to bring jobs back to our district, including trying to get Boeing contracts to stay in Washington.”

“Boeing is a homegrown company, and I believe it belongs right here,” he said. “We have the skilled workers and supportive industries to make this the very best place in the world for Boeing to build airplanes, but we lack a legislature committed to it."

He said he considers education of paramount importance and will do his best to make sure that teachers, principles and students have what they need to maximize the educational experience, adding that he will put education at the top of the priority list.

“People appreciate that my experience and compassion as a doctor who cares mainly for Medicare and Medicaid patients will be valuable in repairing Washington’s Medicaid program for the poor,” he said. “For many years the program has been deteriorating,’’it is time for the real leadership necessary to restore proper care to those in greatest need.”

He said that people like his commitment to public safety.

Final certified county primary election vote counts, including King County votes from Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and the Finn Hill area near Kirkland, and Snohomish County votes from Woodway, south Edmonds and unincorporated Esperance:

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT NO. 32, State Representative - Position 1

Candidate (Party)	King County	Sno County	Total Vote - %
Cindy Ryu (D)	10,931 –42.54%	2,248    40.88%	13,179 – 42.24%
Art Coday (R)	9,384  -36.52%	2,363 – 42.97%	11,747 – 37.65 %
Doris McConnell (D)	5,342 –20.79%	885 – 16.09%	6,227 – 19.96%
Write-in	41 – 0.16%	3 –   0.05%	44 –   0.14%
Total votes	25,698 –100.00%	5,499 –100.00%	31,197 –100.00%
Under-votes	2,001
Total Ballots	27,699
Turn-out	42.33%