Nicholas Carlson
WA State House
1st LD, Position 1

What really motivates me is my desire to serve my community. I didn’t enlist in the military; that probably wouldn’t have been a good fit. I therefore wish to serve in a different way. For the last eleven years, I have done various kinds of small-scale political work that wasn’t especially glamorous but had some positive effect. I was happy to do it and will continue to do so regardless of the outcome of the election. The vacancy caused by Representative Al O’Brien’s retirement from the State House presents an opportunity to do more.

After the last legislative session, I am more convinced than ever that the Democratic majority in our House and Senate, and our Democratic governor, are not delivering on what the voters elected them to do. I truly sympathize with the difficulty of balancing a budget and cutting spending. Nevertheless, the biggest reform of the last session was the new domestic partnership law. Is that it? We have an archaic and horribly regressive tax system, an education system looking ever worse, a crippled public health insurance program, and on and on. These are huge problems, but we don’t seem to be addressing them. As I said, I want an opportunity to do more. A seat in the State House would no doubt offer a particular challenge. If elected, I would be a constant voice of reform. Party loyalty wouldn’t really matter. Getting reelected wouldn’t be a concern. The job must be done with courage and perseverance

What I ask of both the district party and the voters is that I be offered one chance to make a difference in Olympia. I would try to make the most of it and push the tough issues that our politicians prefer to avoid. If after two years I haven’t been effective, you could find someone else—but you would be hard pressed to find a stronger desire to serve with honor, honesty, and integrity. I am a different sort of politician. I have a different perspective. I think the district and the state could benefit from it. I hope you do, too.