Community Government

Randall, Young, Crissman on ballot in 26th District Senate race

The 26th District state Senate race has been one of the most hotly contested legislative races in Washington the past few election cycles. This year is proving to be no different.

Incumbent Sen. Emily Randall, D-Bremerton, and challenger Rep. Jesse Young, R-Gig Harbor, have both raised more money for the 2022 campaign than any other state Senate candidates. Randall (with $383,680 raised as of July 20) and Young ($378,780 as of July 20) are Nos. 1 and 2 in fundraising, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission. The PDC tracks fundraising and campaign spending by political candidates. 

A third candidate, Republican David Crissman, joins them on the Aug. 2 primary ballot. Crissman has reported no campaign funds raised. His campaign doesn’t appear to have a website or Facebook page.  

In response to a question about election experience in the Pierce County voter’s guide, Crissman wrote: “I haven’t been elected to any position since grade school.  Anything’s got to be better than my current job though, including being a politician, so I might as well give it a shot.”

Gig Harbor Now asked all three candidates four questions pertaining to important issues in the 26th District, Washington state and the nation. Only Randall responded.

Young did not respond to phone calls or emails for this story. He similarly declined to participate in an editorial board interview with The News Tribune newspaper of Tacoma.

The candidates

Randall, 36, is seeking her second term in the state Senate.

Her previous work experience includes jobs with Planned Parenthood, Boston Children’s Hospital and Wellesley College, where she earned a degree.

Sen. Emily Randall, D-26

Young, 45, has represented the 26th District in the state House since January 2014. He was appointed to succeed Jan Angel, who had been elected to the state Senate. He subsequently won reelection in 2016, ‘18 and ‘20.

Young is a Notre Dame graduate and is a software engineer and business owner. 

Rep. Jesse Young, R-26

In the voter’s guide, Crissman says he has a degree in business administration from San Jose State University in California and served Army tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Following are the questions Gig Harbor Now asked each candidate. Randall’s answers are printed as submitted.  

Since Young is very likely to advance to the general election, Gig Harbor Now attempted to give a fair representation of his views by reviewing his public statements. Information here comes from his campaign website, his social media posts, his voter’s guide answers and his answers to questions in a story by the Kitsap Sun newspaper of Bremerton.

Question 1: Police reform

Local law enforcement leaders have been critical of police reform efforts undertaken during the last two legislative sessions. This includes restrictions on pursuing suspects in vehicles, use of force and detaining people suspected of illegal drug possession. Which of these reforms have been successful, and which should be changed?

Randall: “In 2021, responding to calls for action in this district and across the country, Washington passed nation-leading police reform. Further conversations with local law enforcement and neighbors showed me that we needed to strike a better balance between police accountability and public safety. I’m proud to have worked with local law enforcement and colleagues to pass important policy fixes addressing use of force so that our brave first responders can best serve our community.  

“We weren’t able to get the fix to vehicle pursuits across the finish line this year. While I certainly supported the effort to keep high-speed chases off neighborhood streets where children play, I also recognize that in a largely rural county like ours, law enforcement can’t pursue by traffic camera as some Seattle-area legislators recommended. I’m supportive of efforts to rework our pursuit policy to balance the need for safety and for law enforcement to be most effective at their jobs.”

Young: In response to a similar question from the Sun, Young called the police reform movement “an unmitigated disaster for Washington.”

“As our state senator, I will make the needed changes in law and stand up for our first responders,” Young wrote in the Sun’s story.

Young’s social media posts and other statements often express his opposition to legalization of “hard drugs.”

His end-of-session newsletter to constituents in 2022 said: “Instead of cracking down on crime, the (Democrats) made it easier for bad actors to get away with just about anything. And it’s putting everyone at greater risk.”

Question 2: Firearms 

Do you support or oppose further restrictions on the sale of certain firearms, such as so-called assault rifles? What steps should the Legislature take in response to recent mass shootings?  

Young: Gig Harbor Now could find no references to firearms restrictions or steps that should be taken in response to mass shootings on Young’s campaign website, voters guide answers or other news publications. A January Facebook post, showing a meme of an eagle eating a duck, includes the text: “Support OUR 2nd Amendment.” Young’s campaign website, under the heading of “Safe Communities,” includes bullet points on supporting first responders, standing up to “Seattle-style policies” and “local control and oversight.”

Randall: “Growing up in a hunting family, in a rural, military community, I understand and respect responsible gun ownership. But we have seen headline after headline detailing instances of gun violence in this country — with too many guns in the hands of unsafe individuals, including perpetrators of domestic violence, people in crisis and children. Students and parents, teachers and neighbors are demanding action. The legislature, along with the people of Washington, have made great strides to address gun violence — strengthening background checks and red flag laws, safe storage and banning the sale of high-capacity magazines. I will continue to support data-driven policy to make our communities safer, without infringing on the 2nd Amendment.”

Question 3: Abortion rights

Do you believe abortion should be legal? Would you support an amendment to the state constitution to guarantee abortion rights, as Gov. Inslee has proposed?

Randall: “Absolutely. Women’s reproductive rights and medical privacy should be constitutionally protected. We should trust people to make the right decisions for themselves about the future of their families, without the interference of politicians in their personal lives. I’m proud that the people of Washington voted to codify the reproductive privacy act in the 1990s and will continue my work to ensure everyone in Washington has access to essential healthcare.”

Young: In the Kitsap Sun story, Young responded to a similar but more narrow question. The Sun asked, “Should access to abortion be protected in the Washington State Constitution?” Young answered, simply, “No.”

In a recent Facebook post, the state representative linked to a Fox News story in which University of Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh discussed his pro-life views. Young, while pointing out that he’s an alum of rival Notre Dame, wrote: “Must respect coach.”

Question 4: Climate change

What steps should the state of Washington be taking to combat the effects of climate change? 

Young: Young’s public statements generally focus more on the economy than the environment. A 2022 constituent newsletter, sent after the conclusion of this year’s session, is critical of the 2021 Climate Commitment Act, focusing on increased gas prices. “According to non-partisan legislative staff, the low-carbon fuel standard and cap-and-trade components of the CCA will raise the cost of gas by 49 cents a gallon over time, starting next year,” the newsletter reads. It goes on to claim that “the state envisions prohibiting gas-powered vehicles from being purchased, sold, or registered in Washington after model year 2030.” (An April Seattle Times story called the legislation in question a “goal,” not a mandate.)

Randall: “Most of us choose to live on the Peninsula because we want to live our lives surrounded by natural beauty — the forests, the saltwater, the creeks, the mountains. And because of that deep appreciation for the land and water we love, we know we have to protect it. Not just for today, but for generations to come. 

“That’s why I’m proud to have supported capital and transportation budget investments in fish passage barrier removal and hatchery support, ferry electrification and community solar projects, better integration of apprenticeships (including in green energy fields) into our higher education system and revitalizing our kelp forests and eelgrass meadows. 

“I am committed to building an economy and a community that is sustainable, and that protects those among us most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Our transition to a greener future cannot happen on the backs of low-income and working-class communities who struggle to afford electric cars and energy-efficient heating. It must happen hand in hand and side by side. In the years ahead, I will look at every piece of legislation with an eye to understand whether or not it creates a world that’s more equitable — for our planet and the people who live and work here.”