Connors, Cotta, Barnard or Guettner? Here’s the Herald’s picks for the 8th District House

The candidates running for the state 8^th District House are all newcomers, and while that’s exciting, it presents a challenge for many Tri-City voters.

Those who are used to seeing Republican Rep. Brad Klippert’s name on the ballot will now have to decide between Stephanie Barnard and Patrick Guettner.

Klippert didn’t file to run for his legislative seat because he decided instead to make a run for Congress. As it happens, he didn’t get past the August primary election.

And Republican Rep. Matt Boehnke is now running for state Senate. Vying to replace him are April Connors and Joe Cotta.

All of these candidates are Republicans. All have qualities that are good for elected office.

And all of them will have a lot to learn, which is why we are recommending candidates we believe will be the most effective right out of the gate.

If our representatives are going to protect Tri-City interests, they will have to build relationships with their colleagues very quickly.

Spouting conservative values isn’t enough. The ability to work across the aisle is critical if our region’s needs are going to be considered by other lawmakers — especially those living in urban areas on the west side of the state.

Stephanie Barnard v Patrick Guettner

As far as Republican principles go, Stephanie Barnard and Patrick Guettner align fairly well. They also have both lived in the Tri-Cities for decades and have been involved in the community.

The most striking difference between them is in their areas of expertise.

Guettner has an impressive background in engineering and project management, and his knowledge of the sciences would be a plus in the Legislature.

With the technological advancements that are on the horizon in energy production, transportation, agriculture and environmental cleanup, the Tri-Cities would be well served by having a representative who easily grasps the complexities of these issues.

Guettner worked for 40 years in the nuclear field and the Tri-Cities is the Washington state hub for the development of energy production — including hydropower, solar, wind and small modular nuclear reactors.

In addition to his science background, Guettner has been a scoutmaster and has held leadership positions in the Franklin County Republican Party.

He has not sought endorsements because he didn’t think they were “all that critical” and it’s up to the voters to decide.

Guettner also is not taking money for his campaign because he said he does not want to be beholden to anyone. Instead, he said he is focusing on walking neighborhoods and talking with others.

Barnard, on the other hand, has a slew of endorsements.

Her list is extensive and includes local elected officials from both sides of the river, including all three Benton County commissioners and Franklin County Sheriff Jim Raymond.

She also has the backing of state legislators, including Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville and Washington state Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia. At the federal level, she’s got the endorsement U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane.

And she can list the Association of Washington Business and the Washington State Farm Bureau among the many organizations who have endorsed her.

Barnard is currently the strategic projects director for the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, but for years prior she was the organization’s head of government affairs.

That meant she spent her time advocating statewide for our region — especially when proposed state policies had the potential to harm farmers and small businesses.

That put her in contact with legislators and other statewide policy makers. She’s worked to save the Snake River dams and she was recently named vice chair of the Tri-City Civility Caucus, a group of community leaders who believe in finding common ground and fostering thoughtful discussions.

Barnard already has the right connections and she has experience working through the legislative process.

What the Tri-Cities needs is a representative who knows who is who in Olympia and can get to work right away, and that’s Barnard.

The Tri-City Herald Editorial Board recommends Stephanie Barnard for the 8^th District House, Position 1.

April Connors v Joe Cotta

Joe Cotta is doing a lot to help others and it’s obvious he has a good heart. The fourth-generation farmer moved to the Tri-Cities in 2009 to manage 1000 acres of vineyard, and he has been active in advocating for the wine industry.

He also takes a lead role when it’s time to negotiate with the farm workers union, and that give-and-take is probably good experience for the Legislature.

Through his church, Cotta has been involved in jail ministry, youth ministry and weekly Bible teaching programs. He also has offered support to those recovering from substance abuse.

What prompted him to run for office is his frustration over the COVID mask and vaccine mandates.

He told the Herald editorial board that he stood up for conservative school board members in Richland and appreciated it when they made masks optional.

But that decision led to school being closed for two days, a lawsuit and a recall effort. And in the end the school district didn’t remove masks in the classroom until it was allowed under Washington state law.

Cotta said, “And I understand (the decision) would have created some chaos in the school system at that point,” but he thinks that “everybody was fine with that because we just didn’t like what was going on.”

He has endorsements from two of those Richland School Board members who chose to defy the mask mandate — Audra Byrd and Semi Bird. He also has endorsements from both the Benton and Franklin County Republican Parties

On his website, he said, “I believe you should be able to choose your child’s educational environment, what goes into you and your family’s bodies, and live in a safe and protected community.”

We imagine there are many Tri-Citians who believe the same way.

But if you are going to become a lawmaker, you have to care about the ramifications of your decisions.

April Connors said, “We all wanted the masks to come off of our kids during COVID,” but acknowledged the financial consequences could have been severe if the Kennewick School Board had followed Richland’s lead.

Her husband is Kennewick School Board President Mike Connors and he resisted the pressure to defy the state mask mandate, which was wise. If he had caved, the Kennewick School District could have lost its funding and its insurance coverage.

April Connors is a conservative who sees the bigger picture. She said “representative” is an important word because it means representing everyone — whether someone is a Democrat or Republican.

She wants to fight for the Tri-Cities and be inclusive at the same time, and that’s admirable.

April Connors has been a real estate agent for 22 years and has been active in schools, the Academy of Children’s Theatre, FFA and is on the Kadlec Foundation board.

If she were elected, her negotiating skills would be a huge plus in the legislative arena.

She said she was encouraged to run by Republican Rep. Matt Boehnke, whose seat she would be taking over.

April Connors also has the endorsement of several notable Republicans, including former U.S. Congressman Doc Hastings, Benton County Commissioner Jerome Delvin, and several state legislators including Sen. Perry Dozier, R-Waitsburg, Rep. Skyler Rude, R-Walla Walla and House Minority Floor Leader Jacquelin Maycumber, R-Republic.

These Republicans would not be backing her if they doubted her commitment to the party’s values and to the Tri-Cities. We like her energy, her vision and her dedication to working with others.

The Tri-City Herald Editorial Board recommends April Connors for the 8^th District House, Position 2.

This story was originally published October 14, 2022 at 5:30 AM.