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In Our View: 17th District Picks
Carrier, Wallace, Probst offer voters a great chance to improve representation
Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Many residents of the 17th Legislative District might say the biggest news about this year’s election is that Jim Dunn is not in it. The infamous, incompetent Dunn was sent packing by voters in the Aug. 19 primary. Even as an incumbent state representative, he raked in a pathetic 18.5 percent of the votes.

But the best news is the voters’ chance to hoist the public-service bar to new heights in the 17th district. For state senator, a bright, eager and dignified challenger has emerged face a cantankerous warhorse who has angered colleagues in both parties and obstinately opposed good ideas. For the two state rep posts, a high-achieving, veteran returns, and a thoroughly prepared newcomer — the anti-Dunn — has hit the scene.

David Carrier for state senator — You’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who provides a greater contrast to blustery incumbent Don Benton than Democrat David Carrier, a soft-spoken political newcomer, avid outdoorsman and holder of a doctoral degree in economics from Notre Dame. Carrier is working tirelessly in the campaign. It paid off in the primary when he won 45.6 percent of the votes, a surprising showing against Benton, a 14-year legislator with three terms as state senator.

Voters, though, must have been familiar with those 14 years. He once missed 17 consecutive meetings as a member of the Higher Education Committee. Benton’s bellicose collisions with colleagues raised eyebrows as far back as 2000 when Republican leaders demanded his resignation as state chair. Through the years, he’s become an inveterate “Dr. No,” opposing sensible ideas that draw popular support, such as all-mail voting and abolishing the supermajority for school levies. He is even opposed to the proposal for replacing the decrepit and dangerous Interstate 5 Bridge.

Benton deserves credit for the Chelsea Harrison Act, which closed a loophole in the three-strikes law, but for the most part he’s been an agent of obstruction.

Carrier offers a harmonious attitude and a can-do spirit, notably in the crucial area of budgets. He’s a part-time instructor at Washington State University Vancouver who understands fiscal matters and health care issues, and he’s got the outreach capabilities to collaborate with legislators of both parties.

Re-elect Deb Wallace — Versatility and dedication have marked Wallace’s three terms as state representative. Since emerging as a Democratic Dunn-beater in 2002, Wallace has excelled, first, in transportation issues and, in the past two sessions, in education matters. She has chaired the Higher Education Committee.

Wallace’s opponent — Micheline Doan — is fixated on pro-life, anti-government and abstinence sex-ed issues. She has a background in service to the GOP, but she is under-prepared to serve as legislator. Wallace and Doan are cordial in campaign appearances, but when it comes to bona fide, effective service on multiple issues, there’s no comparison. Wallace clearly is superior in legislative savvy. She gets better with every legislative session and has earned re-election.

Vote for Tim Probst — Few rookies are better prepared for elected office than Tim Probst. He currently works as leader of a statewide work force training group and has solid experience as state policy analyst, legislative liaison and assistant to Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar in the 1990s. Bolstered by 48.2 percent of the primary votes, Probst has the momentum and the expertise to help 17th district voters forget about Dunn.

His opponent — Republican Joseph James — has an unimpressive background as a business owner. He’s campaigned well, though, and should consider running for a lesser office. But he lacks the broad civic knowledge that makes Probst a superb choice.

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