VIDEO: 5 State Senate candidates @ 34th District Democrats forum

A month and a half after 34th District State Senator Sharon Nelson announced she wouldn’t run for re-election, campaign season launched in earnest last night as five hopefuls appeared at the first major candidates’ forum. It made up the bulk of last night’s monthly 34th District Democrats meeting. From left are Lois Schipper, Sofia Aragon, Lem Charleston, Shannon Braddock, and Joe Nguyen. Topics included tax reform, health care, education funding, gun safety, and more. No endorsement vote yet; next week is the official filing week, so we’ll know then who else, if anyone, is jumping into the race.

11 Replies to "VIDEO: 5 State Senate candidates @ 34th District Democrats forum"

  • Mike May 10, 2018 (3:00 pm)

    Go Joe Nguyen! He will be a terrific state senator. Thanks for posting this video, Tracy. 

  • Question Authority May 10, 2018 (6:14 pm)

    Anybody but the rumoured hat in the ring Lauren Berkowitz of Burien fame.

    • WSB May 10, 2018 (6:35 pm)

      You’ve made that point before. She told me at that time that she was thinking about it, but as of now, these are the five who’ve declared.. We’ll see what happens during Filing Week next week.

  • g west Seattle May 10, 2018 (9:46 pm)

    Watched the whole thing.Thanks WSB for posting! Got to say I was most impressed with Joe Nguyen! Felt like he knew the issues more then the others, though I am happy with the group in general! 

  • West seattle May 11, 2018 (8:33 am)

      couldn’t believe  how the guy serving water kept walking in front of the people who were talking. 

      how “rude” is that !!

  • 98126res May 11, 2018 (10:10 am)

    We also need Republicans to run for this office – if for no other reason than to sharpen and advance  great debate around many pressing issues.  Hoping that strong Conservative candidates come forward and will also run in this race.  So many great things and leadership happening in the GOP right now!

    • M May 11, 2018 (12:14 pm)

      Agreed! 

      • Brian May 11, 2018 (1:09 pm)

        Another vote here for a more conservative approach to the issues at hand.

        I feel like I we need to lower the tax burden on producers not raise them. 

        We can increase services by making government more efficient and cutting the fat out of our swollen local bureaucracies.

        Assault weapons are handy during times of civil strife.  They are also effective home defense weapons.  In a society that seems to be headed for the gutter an AR-15 close at hand makes a lot of sense to me. 

    • S May 12, 2018 (4:42 pm)

      Well said, 98126Res.  I firmly agree.  Broader thinking produces better policies and arguments. 

      Would love to see state education funding directed towards “nuts and bolts” vs. committees and committees for committees.  We need representatives who can triage needs.  Prioritize the neediest–not the loudest–and GET IT DONE.

      Tired of hearing how much school board/administrations want equity and then see the crazy 1x a week early dismissal that is beyond difficult for low income, single parents.  That’s crazy.  Let’s get enough buses so that we don’t have to do that.   Common sense and not lipservice would be awesome.

  • Onion May 12, 2018 (4:52 pm)

    quote/Assault weapons are handy during times of civil strife.  They are also
    effective home defense weapons.  In a society that seems to be headed
    for the gutter an AR-15 close at hand makes a lot of sense to me. /Endquote

    Seriously? Do “conservatives” actually think we’re heading to the gutter and civil war?

  • TD May 14, 2018 (1:41 pm)

    Definitely agree with G West Seattle that Joe Nguyen seemed to have the best grasp of the issues!

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