Democrat state Rep. Tami Green is taking on Republican Sen. Steve O’Ban for the 28th Legislative District’s state senate seat. There isn’t much to say about Green, other than that she is sadly lacking in accomplishments during her time in Olympia (more on that later), but she does have a lot to say about O’Ban… and herself. In fact, Green has so much to say, she is willing to admit that her legislative priorities do not align with the public’s priorities—let alone those of her constituents—and that her opponent’s priorities, well, do.
Ladies and gentlemen, Rep. Tami Green:
“Senator O’Ban is a nice man, but we just have very different philosophical points of view, to our priorities… My priorities are middle class priorities, clean air, green stuff, and I’m not saying his priorities are wrong, they’re just not my priorities. His priorities are about small government, low taxes, and doing the best you can for business. Some of those things are important to me, too, but they’re not my priorities.”
Yes, by her own admission, Green’s primary priority includes “green stuff.” By “green stuff” we can only assume Green means a gas tax—which she fully supports—and Inslee’s extreme environmental agenda—which she is sure to support the moment he officially presents it to the public.
There you have it, the difference between the Democrat and Republican candidates for state senate in the 28th LD. Green is for “clean air” and “green stuff” while O’Ban is for “small government” and “low taxes.”
For your added benefit, Green also reveals why she believes she is more qualified than O’Ban to hold elected office:
“He was only elected in 2012 to be in the House, so he’s only just finishing his first term, frankly… I don’t think he has enough experience. Typically the pattern in our district has been that somebody serves in the House for a period of time, 10 years or so, and then they go to the senate. When you go to the senate, you need to know where things are; you need to know who’s who. It takes a while to build relationships. Being successful in the legislature is all about building relationships.”
For Green’s benefit, a brief overview—because she apparently needs a refresher—on her accomplishments as a veteran in Olympia verses O’Ban’s accomplishments as a freshman in Olympia.
During the entire 2014 legislative session, Green managed to use all the relationships she built during her 10 years as a state representative to walk the Democrat Party line. By contrast, O’Ban sponsored several bills including a measure that helps protect the rights of foster kids and a bill that allows military members to qualify for civilian license if they meet certain requirements. O’Ban introduced a bill that would lessen the impact of Obamacare in Washington State by allowing residents to purchase plans across state borders, he fought a gas tax increase and Inslee’s moratorium on the death penalty by introducing a bill that would require the governor to meet with victims’ families. O’Ban’s commitment to his constituents and dedication to good government earned him the 2014 Legislator of the Year award from the Washington State Fraternal Order of Police.
So, who do you think makes for the better state senator from the 28th LD?
