Editor,
I live in Greg Cheney and Adrian Cortes’ neighborhood and precinct. Adrian Cortes, a Democrat who is proud to be woke, is an opponent of Greg Cheney for legislative district 18 state senator. I was surprised to observe in the 2022 LD18 election that a Cheney campaign sign for LD 18 representative for Washington state was on Cortes’ yard during the campaign! This raises my curiosity as to any difference between the two candidates.
I have been a life-long conservative Republican since the 1964 Goldwater campaign. For the last three years I have often wondered if Cheney was a Republican since his own Republican Party had difficulty recognizing him as a Republican. In this election, the Clark County Republican Party did not endorse Cheney.
When deciding on an incumbent, what really matters is the fruit one has borne. Does the use of AI or effective political buzzwords used in the voters’ pamphlet provide enough information to make an informed choice? Do you believe that should be the end all to checking the box on the ballot? To add to the mix, how a candidate votes or promises to vote and how they govern is valuable data.
Ways to check these facts and statistics on voting records are sites like the American Conservative Union (CPAC) Rating, The Freedom Index, Informed Choice WA and past Reflector articles that report on Battle Ground town halls.
I encourage voters to spend quality time researching incumbents to see if they deserve to continue representing you in government. A conscientious, diligent effort in research will aid in making a better-informed decision! Your nation will thank you.
In my research, I discovered Greg Cheney voted yes on House Bill 1889, which allows undocumented residents in the state of Washington a pathway to obtain professional licenses in our state. Should a representative vote to reward someone who has broken the law and illegally entered this nation?
I checked the Washington state legislative scorecard, which provides a Freedom Index rating of members in Congress. This scorecard rates incumbents on their adherence to constitutional principles of limited government, fiscal responsibility, national sovereignty and a traditional policy of avoiding foreign entanglements. As an avowed Republican and a lawyer, we should expect a better rating than 50 by Cheney. This puts him at the bottom of the Republican party in the state of Washington. Most Democrats receive a zero rating, but to be rated a conservative, you need to be at least a 70. One of the bills that Greg voted for is in direct opposition to the Clark County Republican platform: a yes vote for House Bill 1170, which invests taxpayer dollars in creating a climate change response, a waste of taxpayer money.
Brad Benton, a conservative Republican, will vote to stop funding and support for illegal immigrants, will not vote for tax increases, will protect our property rights, defend our Second Amendment and champion parental rights. The decision is easy. Vote for Brad Benton, LD18 Senate.
Vernon Jeremica
Battle Ground
