With the Thurston County Aug. 6 Primary Election just weeks away, the county has officially released and delivered voters’ pamphlets containing information about local candidates. This story previews local options for District 2 state Legislature races.
Legislative District 2 State Senator
Erasmo Ruiz Gonzalez
Democrat Erasmo Ruiz Gonzalez, a Bethel School Board director, said as a state Senator he’d champion working class families, students, seniors, veterans, farmers and small businesses. In his voters’ pamphlet statement, he said he will seek to work across party lines.
Ruiz Gonzalez said he’s already proven he can do that by recently working and lobbying with elected officials from both political parties to obtain over $10 million in funding for the Bethel School District.
“I will ensure tax dollars are prudently spent, advocating for property tax relief by leveraging existing state resources and revenue streams. As an educator, social worker, and mental health professional, I bring a multifaceted perspective to governance,” he wrote. “My priorities include fiscal responsibility, revitalizing local manufacturing to create good paying jobs, investing in education and workforce development through an additional skills center, supporting law enforcement, and bolstering sustainable development and infrastructure with an emphasis on conserving our natural resources.”
Ronda Litzenberger
Ronda Litzenberger, Republican, has served on the Eatonville School Board as a director for 16 years. She’s also served as a state school director association legislative committee member. If elected senator, Litzenberger said she will amplify the voices of the community, stand firm on conservative family values and safeguard the interests of small businesses and taxpayers.
In her voters’ pamphlet, she wrote that, due to rising crime and increasing costs, a senator who will stand up and fight in Olympia as needed.
She also wrote that she’s received an endorsement from local Representative JT Wilcox, Yelm Mayor Joe DePinto and others.
“I am that person. From my experiences as an Eatonville School Board Member and a small business owner, I bring a nuanced perspective to the table. I recognize challenges our communities face and the potential within government to address them effectively. My candidacy is rooted in my commitment to you, my constituents,” Litzenberger said. “I promise to be a compassionate listener and a fierce advocate, placing your concerns at the forefront. My dedication to conservative values reflects my aim to protect the interests of family. Moreover, I will work to reduce our soaring energy rates by repealing the recent ban on natural gas.”
Jim McCune
Incumbent Jim McCune, Republican, is a former state representative and Pierce County councilor. In his voters’ pamphlet statement, he wrote that he fights job-killing taxes and suffocating regulations. This year, he wrote that he participated in stopping “the largest property tax increase in our history.”
McCune added that core services can be funded with existing revenues and that “you don’t get to overspend, neither should [the Legislature].” McCune said he has worked to restore “reasonable police pursuit” and has supported law and order in local communities.
“He advocates to end human trafficking, keeping fentanyl and meth out of our neighborhoods,” McCune wrote in the voters’ pamphlet. “He opposes normalizing a drug culture and against early release of drug dealers and violent felons. Jim strongly advocates for your constitutional second amendment rights. Serving on the Education Committee, Jim stands for high academic standards, preparing children for success, recognizing parent’s rights are primary in their child’s education and health care. Putting principles over politics, McCune works to reduce the financial burdens on individuals and businesses as they strive during these tough economic times. He worked hard to stop the new airport plan from being built in our district.”
Legislative District 2, State Representative Position 1
Andrew Barkis
Incumbent Andrew Barkis is running unopposed for the Legislative District 2 state representative Pos. 1 seat.
Legislative District 2, State Representative Position 2
Yanah G. Cook
Democrat Yanah G. Cook, Second Legislative District Precinct Committee officer, wrote in the voters’ pamphlet that people should ask themselves if their lives have improved over the last few decades under current district representation.
She wrote that, as a child from a military family, her parents led with strong community service and values, leading her to champion safe streets, relief for small businesses, farmers, working families, seniors, students and veterans.
“Our enormous growth has outstripped good development planning, costing the conservation of natural resources and our community’s infrastructure,” she wrote. “I have a viable plan to tap revenue streams to ease taxation on property [and] providing full funding for schools and first responders. As your next State Representative, I will listen to you, and work for you.”
Matt Marshall
Republican Matt Marshall, an Eatonville School Board director and vice chairman for the Second Legislative District Precinct in Pierce County, wrote that, as a military veteran and medical professional, he fought for the nation and secured the American dream for his family.
He added that, today, the status quo maintained by elected officials threatens those opportunities, and that he would use his experience to protect the future of families and children.
“As your representative, I’ll defend parental rights, enhance public safety, support small businesses, and stop any new mega airport. I’ll tackle inflation and taxes with deregulation, a sensible budget, transparency, and hard work,” Marshall wrote. “We need principled, ethical solutions, not more taxes. I will tirelessly fight for your Constitutional rights, privacy, and moral values. I humbly request your vote.”
Michael Holloman
Democrat Michael Holloman, running in his first election, said that many believed this election was a choice between “rightwing authoritarianism and leftwing progressivism.” He said there is a better way – forward. He added that for 25 years, the citizens’ voices have been marginalized, which can be confirmed by the recent legislative report. In order to be heard, Holloman said a democrat that represents the people’s values must be elected.
“I pledge to push back on both excessive progressivism and authoritarianism. It is time to usher in a new era of representation for our community that champions individuality, growth, and the empowerment of the responsible members of our community,” Holloman wrote. “Send me to Olympia and we will usher in a new era preserving our community.”
John Snaza
Former Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza, Republican, has served as president, vice president and treasurer of the Washington State Sheriffs’ Association, among other groups and organizations in Washington. In the voters’ pamphlet, he said that politics have become very divisive and working families are paying for the failures of the state government. He wrote that he’s a leader prepared to deliver real results.
“As a three-term Thurston County Sheriff, veteran, husband, and father, I am committed to advancing public safety, ensuring affordable housing, and holding our state government accountable,” Snaza wrote. “My vision for Washington centers on policies that support working families during this time of rapid inflation and keeping our community safe.”
