ELECTION 2022: State Sen. Joe Nguyen running for second term

All three of our area’s State Legislature positions, representing the 34th District, are up for election this year. Of our area’s two State House representatives, one (Rep. Eileen Cody) has announced she’s retiring. Now, our area’s State Senator, Joe Nguyen, has announced he’s running for a second term. Last year, Nguyen attempted to oust King County Executive and fellow West Seattleite Dow Constantine, finishing with 44 percent of the vote, but continued in the State Senate, as his term doesn’t expire until the end of this year. Today’s announcement touts his most-recent achievement as “help(ing) pass a historic transportation package and direct(ing) significant investments for working families during this crucial period of pandemic recovery.” Sen. Nguyen was elected to a leadership post before the 2021 legislative session, assistant floor leader for the State Senate Democratic Caucus. Today’s announcement notes Nguyen will be running in a district that “has slightly changed with recent redistricting,” now including Georgetown as well as South Park and part of downtown, in addition to West Seattle, Burien, White Center, and Vashon/Maury Islands. He is the only candidate so far to file a campaign with the state Public Disclosure Commission.

Mark Schletty April 5, 2022 (4:04 pm)

Too bad. He has turned out to be far left of how he ran last time. We need some more moderate/liberal candidates. Voted for him last time but not again.

StopCuttingDownTrees April 5, 2022 (4:18 pm)

He’s just about the worst Senator in Olympia. I’ll gladly help campaign for anyone running against him, from either Party.

Aaron April 5, 2022 (4:45 pm)

I’m voting for Joe Nguyen again. I think he’s been a great state Senator.

onion April 5, 2022 (5:07 pm)

Regarding all three of the initial comments, I’d like to hear the reasoning and evidence behind your claims. Just saying “he’s bad” or “he’s great” is a waste of everyone’s time.

Electing Wisely April 8, 2022 (7:20 am)

I agree. I did a quick search on this guy to see what he’s accomplished and the first page came up with his campaign promises but no significant actions taken. For those who plan on extending his term, I thank those in advance who post links that substantiate their decision.

Mj April 5, 2022 (5:32 pm)

My wife and I both work full time and have a daughter. Other than increased regulations, taxes and fees he has done nothing for my family.

WSRes April 5, 2022 (5:32 pm)

Nope for me. Prefer someone more moderate. In my opinion the far left has done too much damage to our community.

TM April 5, 2022 (8:14 pm)

He’s a good one in my experience, committed and accessible.

Rocket April 5, 2022 (8:30 pm)

I appreciate that he sponsored the safe staffing in hospitals bill. I look forward to supporting him and his efforts to ensure we all have access to safe care when sick.

neighbor April 6, 2022 (9:51 am)

I would have appreciated that much more if we were in a world where medical staff were readily available and hospitals were just choosing not to hire. Currently, however, there is a scarcity of medical professionals available, so the proposed “safe staffing” requirement could lead to hospitals not being able to provide services when you need them. It’s a double-edged sword and I can definitely see both sides, but to me the timing of this bill was all wrong.

Melissa April 5, 2022 (9:28 pm)

If you want to see what he worked to have passed, you can see the bills for which he was a primary and secondary sponsor here:Washington State Legislature

Jort April 5, 2022 (9:45 pm)

I look forward to a bunch of conservatives acting shocked when — yet again — a liberal wins in one of the most liberal districts in the state! Better luck next time!

Jon Wright April 5, 2022 (10:52 pm)

I do enjoy all the post-election “sEaTtLe geTs tHE gOveRnmenT it deSERvES!!!” sour grapes posts.
- KM April 6, 2022 (8:32 am)
  
  Every. Damn. Time.
JJ April 6, 2022 (5:49 am)

Liberal for whom?

foop April 5, 2022 (10:52 pm)

I’m curious what specifically people don’t like that he has done. Looking at the list of bills he’s sponsored, it all seems reasonable, if in some cases benign. Or are people just towing a party line / KOMO talking point?

trickycoolj April 6, 2022 (8:06 am)

I was disappointed that he was ready to dump our district mid-term in favor of running for King County Exec. So is Mr. Nguyen actually dedicated to serving our district and constituents for the entire term or just until a more prestigious position opens up?

Canton April 7, 2022 (12:27 am)

Totally agree. I voted for him since he was a local guy with seemingly good morals, but he has higher aspirations.

Jack April 6, 2022 (10:30 am)

Here are 4 bills he was the primary sponsor of that I personally disagree with.“SB 5485 – 2021-22, Prohibiting traffic stops for certain traffic violations”. We need more traffic stops, not less. It’s damn dangerous driving in this town.“SB 5722 – 2021-22, Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in buildings.” Taking away choices on how to power our homes is never a good idea.“SB 5117 – 2021-22, Concerning rental vouchers to eligible offenders.” Soft on crime.“SB 5428 – 2021-22, Concerning the application of the state environmental policy act to temporary shelters and transitional encampments.” This bill is particularly egregious as it seeks to allow homeless encampments that pollute the area they are in. Why are homeless people allowed to pollute? I really don’t understand this one.

melissa April 6, 2022 (11:28 am)

I wonder if you really read those bills. Short answer to your final question? They’re not. To find the longer answer, you’d have to read the bill:(i) The facility complies with any drainage, erosion control, and other water quality regulations of the jurisdiction and is consistent with any applicable national pollutant discharge elimination system permit or permit issued under chapter 90.48 RCW to the jurisdiction; (j) The facility host or operator has developed a disengagement
plan for cleanup for the facility; (k) The facility host or operator has developed a medical waste
disposal plan for the facility; (l) The facility host or operator has developed a solid waste
management program for the facility; and2 (m) The local jurisdiction must require and make available employment, mental health, and drug counseling services at the
facility.
CAM April 7, 2022 (9:23 am)

1. “certain violations” means they can’t pull people over for things hanging from their rear view mirror or expired tags, not dangerous driving. 2. If you’re against green environmental bills on one level (housed individuals) but for them when applying to other people (unhoused individuals) I think that might have to do with the groups the legislation applies to and not the person endorsing them. 3. “Rental vouchers” housing people after they have completed serving their sentence is not soft on crime in any definition of the meaning of that phrase unless of course you’re in favor of gulags. You prevent future crime by removing barriers from people’s ability to reenter society and succeed, like poverty after unemployment due to being in jail or prison or other factors. 4. The legislation you are opposed to speaks volumes.

Jack April 6, 2022 (12:18 pm)

Melissa, I wonder if you read the entire bill, I did. Here is how to begins. “AN ACT Relating to the application of the state environmental policy act to temporary shelters and transitional encampments to provide clarity and predictability to jurisdictions about categorical exemptions for temporary shelters and transitional encampment.” The whole bill is designed to circumvent our environmental regulations, hence the word exemptions. IMO, all these homeless camps are environmental disasters.

WSB April 6, 2022 (3:21 pm)

How it is applied in practice may be another matter, but this refers to sanctioned encampments, not unsanctioned/unofficial ones. Example: Camp Second Chance, the tiny-house “village” in southeast West Seattle. Not an environmental disaster at all. In fact, residents have been working on a habitat project on some of the city parkland that the camp is on.

Jack April 7, 2022 (10:43 am)

I have to respectfully disagree with you on this. There is one of the sanctioned camps that has so many stolen bicycles in it, you can hardly walk thru it. And I have to point out that these are supposed to be temporary solutions. If the residents can ‘work’ on habitat, why can’t they work in a real job, earn money and get out of there. There are literally 1000’s of job openings in the Seattle area right now. Plus, none of this excuses placing any type of building in an environmental critical area.