There’s a clear leader in the race for Washington’s attorney general | Editorial
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Tri-City Herald 2024 election recommendations
The Tri-City Herald Editorial Board met with more than two dozen candidates for local and state office. Here are their endorsements.
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With the current attorney general angling for the governor’s office, Washingtonians will choose someone new to lead the state’s legal work in November. We recommend they select Nick Brown.
On paper, Brown, a Democrat, is the superior candidate in the race. His deep experience in representing the public in legal matters began as an attorney with the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps after graduating Harvard Law School. He went on to work in private practice, as general counsel to Gov. Jay Inslee and today as President Joe Biden’s appointed U.S. attorney for Western Washington.
Voters should pay especially close attention to the last job. As a U.S. attorney, he manages a large legal office engaged in complex cases, just the sort of work he would do as attorney general. Voters also should note that he has more than two decades of experience working in criminal law. That might be but a small part of the attorney general’s portfolio, but it is a critical one.
Brown’s Republican opponent, Pete Serrano, lacks that extensive experience. He is the mayor of Pasco and was an environmental attorney with the U.S. Department of Energy at Hanford. He is a graduate of Florida Coastal School of Law, which we assume was a fine law school, but it’s not Harvard. While it might be nice to see a Tri-Citian rise to statewide office, Serrano isn’t as prepared for that role as Brown.
Serrano also has staked out positions that are aggressively pro-gun and anti-COVID restrictions, views that don’t match those of most Washingtonians.
One critical issue on which the two differ is the role of the attorney general in the legislative process. Brown, like attorneys general before him, would be an active partner, analyzing legislation and proposing bills of his own. Serrano says he would do the analysis but not propose bills. As the state’s leading lawyer, he shouldn’t kneecap one of the office’s most important opportunities to effect change and improve everything from criminal law to drug policy and public records.
Depending on the outcome of the presidential election, Washington could play a leading role challenging federal overreach. Brown has the experience to do so. If the presidential election goes the other way, he will have ties to the administration that could prove valuable. Either way, it positions Washington better.
We recommend voters choose Brown’s experience over the less-experienced Tri-Citian.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREBehind Our Election Recommendations
Who decides the recommendations?
The Tri-City Herald editorial board is comprised of experienced opinion journalists and community members, and is separate from The Herald’s newsroom. Conversations are on the record.
What does the recommendation process entail?
Whenever possible, The Herald editorial board meets with opposing candidates at the same time. The questions are largely focused on a candidate’s qualifications and goals. The editorial board then discusses the candidates in each race and decides who to recommend. Board members seek to reach a consensus on our recommendations, but not every decision is unanimous.
Is the editorial board partisan?
No. In making recommendations, members of the editorial board consider which candidates are well prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with us or belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, their readiness for office, their depth of knowledge of key issues, their understanding of public policy and their ability to work with the current board . We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points. The editorial board will endorse both Republicans and Democrats.
Why are the editorials unsigned?
Our election recommendations reflect the collective views of The Herald’s editorial board — not just the opinion of one writer. For the 2024 election, the board includes: Laurie Williams, Herald executive editor; Jack Briggs, retired Herald publisher; Ken Robertson, retired Herald editor; Rosa Torres, community representative. Chris Trejbal is our editorial writer.
This story was originally published September 29, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
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