The Seattle Times editorial board recommends: Gerry Pollet for Legislative District 46, Position 1

Gerry Pollet has a long history as a public servant in Washington, as a flinty watchdog — for cleanup at the Hanford nuclear reservation in the state’s southeast corner over decades — and over the last dozen years as a state legislator advocating especially for special education funding, public health and housing.

First appointed in 2011 to fill an unexpired term, the Seattle Democrat is running for his seventh full two-year term representing the 46th District, which includes Green Lake, Sandpoint and Northeast Seattle.

As a member of the House education and Ways and Means committees, he continues to push for full funding of special education and to ensure that all children are attending schools that are safe from environmental hazards. Another priority is expanding the opportunities for post-high school education, and he serves on the Post-Secondary and Workforce Committee.

Additionally, Pollet is a member of the University of Washington School of Public Health faculty. Pollet continues as executive director of Heart of America, the Hanford cleanup watchdog organization.

Another strength is that he eschews the backroom dealing that happens too often in a one-party government. He is among legislators who have signed a pledge never to invoke something called “legislative privilege.” House Democratic caucus leadership, in particular, advocates that lawmakers use this privilege to withhold documents from the public. The matter is being litigated.

He thinks the public has the right to know about their government’s machinations.

Pollet is challenged by Republican Beth Daranciang and Democrat Ahndylyn Kinney. Though their bids for office provide voters a choice, neither approaches Pollet in terms of public service experience and record.