Democrats line up to replace Carlyle in 36th LD

Democrat State Representative Reuven Carlyle—currently chair of the House Finance Committee—announced his intention to seek appointment to the state Senate seat held by Jeanne Kohl-Welles, if (read: when) she wins her campaign to provide a big boost to her state-provided pensions this November.

Carlyle, representing the safest of Democrat legislative seats, is best known for his obsession with imposing a state income tax on his fellow Washingtonians.

Indeed, during the 2015 legislative session, arguably no other legislator shouted louder for a state capital gains income tax than Carlyle. The Seattle Democrat went to great lengths to champion the income tax, partnering with far-left groups to pull ridiculous publicity stunts. Of course, in the end, all his efforts went for naught. Senate Republicans ensured that Washington’s working families would not have the added burden of a state capital gains income tax. And, according to Carlyle’s fellow Democrat state Rep. Sam Hunt, the capital gains income tax did not even have enough votes to pass the Democrat-controlled state House.

Unfortunately for Carlyle, that’s not the only failed issue he made a fool of himself promoting. Carlyle also championed Jay Inslee’s cap-and-tax scheme as “a super-exciting idea.” Carlyle—and his enthusiasm—was in the minority. Ultimately, Inslee could not even find enough Democrats willing to vote for his cap-and-tax scheme.

If Carlyle is appointed to the state Senate, there are a plethora of Democrats equally as dedicated to imposing a state income tax who are more than willing to take his place. Already, six people have stated they would seek the appointment to fill Carlyle’s seat. They include:

1. John Burbank, the executive director of far left “think tank” the Economic Opportunity Institute. You can read more about Burbank’s obsession with a state income tax here and here.
2. Jeff Manson, chair of the 36th District Democrats. Democrats in our state have long listed a state income tax as a “guiding principle” for their party.
3. Randy Gordon, former Democrat state senator from Bellevue. Defeated by Republican state senator Steve Litzow in 2010, Gordon appears to be trying his luck in Seattle.
4. Noel Frame, former director of Progressive Majority Washington—one of the many groups in our state that works to get far left candidates elected.
5. Sarah Reyneveld, a lawyer at the state Attorney General’s office.
6. Rene Murry, volunteer chair of the Children’s Campaign Fund.