District 8-Reps and Senator
These people affect our lives more than the President or Federal Senators or Congressmen do. These people are also, more accessible. They will respond to your emails and calls. I have spoken on email to many of these people, and met a few in person (not like I’m important, but it shows that they are more accessible to the average citizen). Unfortunately, the information about them is low by comparison, and we pay much less attention to their decisions.
District 8
This new district represents West Pasco, West Kennewick, and Richland. Check this map for specifics https://leg-tech.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=3413cce928744f6a86bd631d97e2a06a&showLayers=Final%20Amended%20Washington%20Legislative%20Districts%202022%3BCounty%20Boundaries%20%5bWA%20DNR%5d
Senator
Alex Barrington- Republican- It appears he is a Christian who wants to follow the Constitution. He criticized the lockdowns and Inslee’s emergency powers in his short summary and sparse website. https://www.givesendgo.com/barringtonforwa2022
Ronnie Batchelor- Independent– Not sure why she doesn’t just say she’s a Democrat. When you’re a member of ANY race based organization, you are a Democrat. When you are a member of the Pride Foundation, which supports and endorses homosexuality, you’re a Democrat. Not a serious candidate. Doesn’t have a website.
Matt Boehnke- Republican– He’s the incumbent. In the last session, his sponsored bills are all bland. His positions on issues all involve more government… that government is coming to save you, but in a “conservative” way. His biggest legislative achievement is a workforce enhancement bill that puts the government in the process of training workers in the retail industry. Is that even needed? Inslee’s signature makes this suspect. Though his bills are bland, his voting record is solid. He voted against HB 1851 which protected “pregnant person’s” ability to access “abortion care.” He also voted against anti-2nd Amendment bills. http://mattforwa.com/
Boehnke is the choice here because Barrington lacks information about his views.
State Rep-Position 1
Patrick Guettner-Republican- Guettner ran for Pasco City Council a few years ago and was the obvious choice for conservatives and Christians in that election. He did not win, but provided experience it seems. His positions are all solid: pro-2nd Amendment, pro-dams, anti-windmills, term limits, and ending mail in ballots. His signs have two slogans “Dams, not Windmills” and “Faith, Family, Friends, Flag.” That’s the right order. He doesn’t take a published position on abortion however. https://patrickwa8.org/
Stephanie Barnard-Republican- Barnard certainly look and sounds more polished that Guettner, with multiple endorsements from state Republicans, none of which are boat rockers or outspoken Christians. There in lies the problem with Barnard. Additionally, her website only offers general platitudes. Both Guettner and Glenn Taylor offer far greater detail in their beliefs and goals. Barnard would probably not vote for abortion or restrictcing 2nd Amendment rights, but it doesn’t appear she’s going to lead rallies in support of them. https://www.stephanieforwa.com/
Glenn Taylor- Republican- He looked like an exceptional candidate, but in May, he learned that redistricting moved him out of the 8th District, so he’s out.
Barnard and Guettner will both move on to the general election.
Guettner is the best choice here because he is clear and correct about his positions on almost all the issues, whereas Barnard promotes who her friends are.
State Rep-Position 2
Joe Cotta-Republican- Cotta has the right answer on all his views. Most importantly, he doesn’t hide his Christianity. Its also not often that pastors endorse candidates, but Steve Whinery of Calvary Chapel does. Brad Klippert, Semi Byrd, and Audra Bird of the Richland School Board endorse him as well. It speaks to his character that he has endorsements from those four people who openly defied tyranny during COVID. https://www.votejoecotta.com/
Larry Stanley- Alliance Party- Yikes! The Alliance Party is new and has a “manifesto.” Even though a “manifesto” is a general term for stating ideas, I would think a group of thinking people would consider the connotation of using such a word. However, while reading though it, its clear they like the association with Karl Marx since many of their polices resemble his. They have a sort of America First Socialism thing going on, but confuse American exceptionalism with socialism. America is exceptional because of the free market, and socialism is destroying it. In any event, when you have Jennifer Lawrence and Mark Ruffalo videos on your website, it’s clear you are not carefully considering your associations, and your chance of winning is very low. Then, when you advocate for a universal basic income, its clear you are a globalist shill. https://www.stanleyforwashington.com/issues
John Christensen-Democrat– I’m going to quit wasting my time even researching Democrats. He doesn’t have a website anyway.
April Connors- Republican– As a Republican, starting off with endorsements from establishment Republicans like Doc Hastings isn’t the greatest idea, then following it up with other elected official seems backwards in trying to appeal to people who generally distrust government. Then, to follow that up with 80s pictures of you as with other establishment Republicans isn’t wise. With that said, she advocates for local control in schools, energy, and housing. Local Control is good, but looking to government for solutions is not good. Just once, I’d like to see a candidate say in a debate, when asked how they would fix something, just to say “that’s not the government’s job. When I’m elected, we will get out of the way.” Her website is big on endorsements, but short on positions on issues like abortion, 1st Amendment protection, and 2nd Amendments protection.
Its likely Connors and Cotta will make the general election. I have yet to see a Stanley or Christensen sign on the streets. Vote strongly for Cotta here. He’s head and shoulders above Connors in articulating his views and sharing the Gospel.