Letters endorse both Beutler and Upthegrove, and urge voters to pick Ferguson for governor

Vote Beutler for Public Lands Commissioner

I encourage my friends and neighbors in Thurston County to join me in voting for Jaime Herrera Beutler for Commissioner of Public Lands.

If you believe that we need to have both recreational and working forest lands and tidelands, vote for Jaime.

If you believe that the time has come to focus on reducing catastrophic wildfire risk, vote for Jaime.

When she was in the Legislature, I admired Jaime’s political courage and bipartisanship. While you may not agree with her vote to impeach President Trump when she was in Congress, you must admire her political courage and determination to do the right thing in the face of dire consequences.

If you agree that political courage and bipartisanship are important qualities for a statewide official, vote for Jaime.

Newspaper editorial boards who have conducted in-depth interviews of the two candidates, have endorsed Jaime. That includes the Seattle Times, the Everett Herald, the Vancouver Columbian and others.

If you love and enjoy our state’s beautiful forests and tidelands, join me in voting for Jaime Herrera Beutler for Commissioner of Public Lands.

Sam Reed, Olympia, former Washington Secretary of State

Upthegrove is the right choice for Lands Commissioner

Conserving what old growth trees are left should be a priority for Washington state, but that has not been the route that DNR has taken under Hilary Franz.

As we well know, these larger and older trees are critical in storing massive amounts of carbon. The Pacific Northwest trees are the third most important source of carbon storage in the whole world, so not just critical to us, but to the planet. Timber companies are far more interested in profits than in preventing climate change.

The two candidates running for Lands Commissioner could not be more different in their views. Herrera Beutler’s campaign is being funded by the timber companies and she will do what they want, no doubt. Upthegrove understands the importance of conservation and will preserve the largest trees.

Yes, we do need money for schools and fire departments and such, but studies have been done that show that we could be cutting plantation forests instead, and make just as much money for that purpose. We need to be sure that both our children and our old growth forests are protected. I hope you will vote for Dave Upthegrove.

Natasha Hays, Olympia

Vote for Bob Ferguson

Bob Ferguson is by far the best choice for governor this November. He has a long list of accomplishments that have benefited the citizens of Washington.

Bob forced the companies that fueled the opioid epidemic to pay more than a billion dollars to address the harm done to our community, secured record penalties to combat dark money in politics, and took on polluters, scam artists, and special interests to protect Washingtonians.

Bob prioritizes public safety. He has stood up for survivors and victims while holding criminals accountable, with a focus on human trafficking and sexually violent predators.

Bob has specific plans and commitments for how to address housing issues and the rights of women and families to make their own choices, including supporting funding for reproductive healthcare. When a federal judge in Texas blocked access to abortion medication, Bob led the multi-state lawsuit that protected access for Washingtonians and individuals in all of the states that joined Bob’s lawsuit.

Bob has been part of the administration that has made Washington a national leader for both economic and environmental health. Bob’s Supreme Court victory defending the Affordable Care Act preserved health care for 825,000 Washingtonians, including those with preexisting conditions.

We need a leader with a real track record and commitment for the future. I encourage you to vote for Bob Ferguson for governor and elect a compassionate and dedicated public servant.

Pat Cole, Olympia