Introductory statements from 46th District State Senate candidates

By Evan Smith

Incumbent Democratic 46th Legislative District State Sen. David Frocht and Republican challenger Van Sperry will meet in the November election.

The district includes Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and northeast Seattle.

The two recently sent introductory statements. Here they are:

David Frock (Prefers Democratic Party)

I am proud to have represented Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and North Seattle these last two years. In taking on representation of Lake Forest Park and Kenmore, my goal was to insure that they were as strongly represented in Olympia as Seattle. I believe we have done that.

For example, we worked together to secure funding for the Kenmore Town Green and to assist Lake Forest Park in flood mitigation efforts. Because of this commitment, I am honored to have earned bipartisan support of many Lake Forest Park and Kenmore officials. 

But, we have more to do; we need a corridor transportation planning approach for Lake Forest Park. We need to secure resources for Kenmore to improve Route 522 in the southern part of the city and to implement recent recommendations of its pedestrian and bicycle safety commission.

With your help, I will continue to work across the aisle on these local projects as well as to promote our tech and life sciences industries, to champion higher education and to address K-12 education funding needs.

Van Sperry (prefers Republican Party)

I am Van Sperry, a Registered Nurse of 25 years; holder of a master’s degree in Public Policy and now, State Senate candidate for the 46th district this November.

Personally, I am exasperated on what passes for an “informed” public debate in our communities. Misinformation, ignorance and propaganda are the norm rather than the exception. The result is apathy, polarization and often, destructive collective political outcomes.

I am running to give an opportunity for a genuine bipartisan and informative public debate on what kind of future is available to us, and who is going to lead us there.

Here is part of my answer to a Washington Policy Center question about support for a constitutional amendment to require a two-thirds legislative vote to raise taxes:

Washington state voters want a high threshold for tax increases. It is a reasonable request.

I support a constitutional amendment that would allow the people to vote on whether or not to adopt a super-majority vote requirement for tax increases.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.