Sep. 7--The 22nd Legislative District state representatives have been Democrats for as long as Walt Bowen can remember, and he doesn't see it changing.
'We definitely want to keep it,' said Bowen, the Thurston County Democratic Party chairman.
If money is any indication, Democrats are in a good position to do just that.
Incumbent Democratic state Sen. Karen Fraser has raised $24,798. Her Democratic opponent, Prophet Atlantis, and her Libertarian opponent, Randy Brooks, have raised nothing, according to state election records.
The Position 1 House seat is uncontested in the primary, but Democrat incumbent Sandra Romero has raised $20,996. Her Republican opponent, Franklin D.R. Wilson III, has raised $125.
And in the most hotly contested area legislative race, that for state representative Position 2 previously held by Cathy Wolfe, Democrats have outdistanced Republicans in fund-raising. Democrat Peter Rex has raised $27,593 and Democrat Sam Hunt has raised $34,096. Republicans Bill Pilkey and Stephen Houseman have raised nothing.
Elections in the 22nd District take on a somewhat different flavor from those in other parts of the state, Bowen said. Because the district includes the state capitol and is populated with state employees, candidates must get down to grass-roots campaigning.
Republican Central Committee chairman Rick Forcier said he understands that some districts are dominated by one party or the other, and the 22nd has belonged to the Democrats since the early 1980s.
'It's not unusual,' Forcier said. 'We Republicans find it quite a challenge to be presented an opportunity to work in a lopsided district.'
As far as the money goes, Forcier said, it was more practical to put financial backing where the races are closer and his party has a better chance of winning. But the Republicans haven't given up.
'If we were to win the White House, anything could happen,' he said.
In the primary race for state senator, incumbent Fraser will face Atlantis.
Fraser has been in the Senate for eight years. Before that, she spent four years in the state House of Representatives, eight years as a county commissioner and seven years on the Lacey City Council, including five years as mayor.
'I'm committed to public service and feel I can make a difference,' Fraser said.
Issues Fraser believes are important in this race are a response to Initiative 695 service cuts, adequate funding of education and the availability of health care and health insurance.
Atlantis said he was asked to run by students of The Evergreen State College and students of the Ramtha School of Enlightenment, founded by J.Z. Knight, who claims to channel the ancient warrior Ramtha.
'If I can do it, anyone can,' Atlantis said.
Atlantis is concerned about health care issues and wants mental health parity and prescription drug programs for all residents.
Libertarian Randy Brooks faces no one in the primary but must receive at least 1 percent of the vote to get his name on the November ballot.
Wolfe, who resigned her Position 2 seat to run for Thurston County commissioner, is confident a Democrat will replace her.
'Clearly the only real race in the 22nd Legislative District is between Peter Rex and Sam Hunt,' Wolfe said.
'The 22nd Legislative District is very fortunate to have two such excellent and well-qualified candidates running for this position.'
Wolfe said incoming legislators will be dealing with the aftermath ofI-695, with shoreline rules and funding, with mentally ill offenders in jails and mental health treatment in general, and with education.
Rex, a high school teacher, said he believes his experience as a teacher and as a staff member for U.S. Sen. Patty Murray will help him serve the public well as a state representative.
'A lot of people talk about education, but very few have spent any time in the classroom,' Rex said.
'I wanted to stand up and be a leader on my own. I've seen from working with others that one person can make a difference.'
Issues Rex has cited as important include education, the environment, campaign-finance reform, health care and economic development.
Hunt, who faces Rex in the primary, works as a legislative liaison for the state Department of Information Services and is president of the North Thurston School Board.
Hunt said he believes transportation funding in the wake of I-695 will be his focus, if elected.
'(Voters) want good roads, schools and health care,' he said. 'But they're reluctant to provide the money. The Legislature will have to step up to it.'
Hunt is focusing on technology, education, government efficiency and affordable health care.
Pilkey and Houseman are the Republicans fighting for the Position 2 seat.
Pilkey said mental health issues are his focus.
'Mental illness treatment needs to be expanded,' he said.
Pilkey wants to restore and increase funding for Providence St. Peter's psychiatric services.
He wants basic prescription drug, medical coverage, housing and food provided for low-income retirees and the disabled.
He would like to reduce the tax burden on small businesses and return control of government to taxpayers.
Houseman said he is discontented with the way government is being run. He believes that the issue ofI-695 is still alive because the Senate and House are trying to revoke much of what the initiative included.
'The people decided that's what they wanted,' Houseman said.
'It shouldn't be up to the House and the Senate to say that's not right. I believe a representative should represent the views of the public.'
Other issues Houseman cited as important were voter rights, constitutional rights, education and youth activities.
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