Washington House of Representatives District 19-Position 1 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Washington, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Washington House of Representatives District 19-Position 1 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

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• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Washington House of Representatives District 19-Position 1

Incumbent Jim Walsh defeated Kelli Hughes-Ham in the general election for Washington House of Representatives District 19-Position 1 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Walsh (R)	62.2	39,940
		Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)	37.7	24,232
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	71

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 64,243
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

We deserve a representative who will actively fight for engaging, relevant public education, fully-funded and accessible to all.

We deserve a representative who fights for strong local industry that utilizes realistic climate solutions.

We deserve a representative who fights for safe, inclusive communities with ample, affordable housing.

Jim Walsh (R)

Restore balanced, constitutional government in Olympia.

Return the ability to chase criminal suspects and fight crime to our law enforcement agencies.

Give the people of Washington reasonable tax relief: especially property, sales and fuel tax relief.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

This is my home. I chose to come back to serve the students at the high school from which I graduated, because I love this land and the people who also call it home. As a public educator, I see so many problems that need solutions. Students are disengaged from a system that does little to turn them into the innovative thinkers we need to solve our climate and economic crises. We need ample, affordable housing. We need to protect our seafood and timber industries with realistic climate solutions so our communities can thrive. I will use my voice on behalf of our extraordinary people and land. Our unique area deserves an advocate like me; someone who can balance the unique needs of our legislative district with progressive policies that fight for everyone’s rights.

Jim Walsh (R)

My legislative committee assignments reflect my policy focuses. I'm ranking member on the WA House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee. I'm assistant ranking member on two other committees: K-12 Education and State Government. And I also sit on the House Transportation Committee. In addition to those assignments, I serve on the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) and on the legislature's Water Rights Mitigation Task Force.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

There are so many figures in history I look up to... Julia Butler Hansen (a politician from our LD), Sid Snyder (a family friend who was also a state senator), to name a few. But I have to say that the person I look up to, and look to for help, is my father. He is a boat mechanic who has run a successful small business for nearly 50 years. I share his fascination with the natural world, and he taught me how to fish (and continues to teach my children how to fish). My dad is not someone who pursued lofty college degrees, but instead stays true to his own view on the world, which is rooted in hard work and kindness. I always listen to what he has to say, not just because he is my dad, but because he is one of the best people I have ever met.

Jim Walsh (R)

Thomas Jefferson. Abraham Lincoln. Barry Goldwater. Dan Evans.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

The willingness to meet with any of your constituents and LISTEN. The willingness to solve problems. The willingness to put faith into the government's power to improve lives, not control them. And most of all, the willingness to bring voices to the table that aren't being heard. REPRESENTATIVE is the key word.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

I listen. I solve problems, or empower others to solve problems. And I have a great sense of humor, which enables me to relate to a wide variety of people.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

Those elected should represent the interests of the majority of the people in their district. They should not just listen to those who voted for them.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

I want my children and my students to look back and see me as someone who left the world better than I found it.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

May 18th, 1980... I wasn't even five years old. Mt. St. Helens blew, and everything on TV was all about it. The ash fell the day after the eruption on the Long Beach Peninsula. I'll never forget it! It was what made me interested in geology (which was my major in college before I decided upon visual arts). I still visit the Volcanic Monument often, and I even climbed the south slope when I was younger!

Jim Walsh (R)

Walter Cronkite reading death tallies from the war in Viet Nam. I was three or four years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

My first job was popping popcorn at my grandma Mary's candy store in Long Beach, WA. I'm not sure if that counts, but to me as a 12-year-old, it was work! Then as a freshman in high school, I worked at a frozen yogurt shop, also in Long Beach. Every job I held until I went to college was involved in the tourist industry, and I got the best preparation in dealing with ALL kinds of people!

Jim Walsh (R)

My first job was as a lifeguard. I did that through high school and my first year of college.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

The book I come back to time and time again is LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Despite the nuanced and complicated historical context, it is a story I think about nearly every day.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

Leslie Knope from PARKS AND RECREATION. If you know, you know.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

The opening number of the HAMILTON musical has been going through my head all day. I can probably blame my children for that!

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

The governor answers to the people of the state. And the state legislature brings the concerns of the people in their districts to the attention of the governor.

Jim Walsh (R)

Co-equal.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

We need to protect our valuable, lucrative natural resources while addressing the devastating effects of climate change. Nothing else can happen unless we do this.

Jim Walsh (R)

To restore balanced, constitutional government in Olympia.

To rein in an overreaching bureaucratic administrative establishment.

To assure that a high-quality basic education is available to children in every corner of the state.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

The benefits? Perhaps that would encourage more bipartisan action, and FASTER legislation because you only have to go through one chamber. But it could lead to a majority running away with the power and pushing agendas that ignore the minority.

Jim Walsh (R)

Washington does not have a unicameral legislature. I assume that one of the benefits is a simpler process for moving bills. Our bicameral legislature has screwed up needed reforms in the last days of the last several sessions.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

I think it is beneficial for state legislators to have experience from within a system. Whether that be from within the government, from within education, or any other bureaucracy. People who understand how change happens within a system are those who understand how to change things for the better.

Jim Walsh (R)

Not necessarily.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

YES! We can't get anything done unless we share stories and experiences from different parts of the state. We're ultimately on the same team.

Jim Walsh (R)

Yes.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Jim Walsh (R)

WA's bipartisan commission system is good.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

I very much would like to serve on the House Education Committee. It is where my strengths would best be utilized. And as a skilled and experienced visual arts teacher, I would like to work closely with the Washington State Arts Commission, specifically within their Arts in Education mission.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

Jim Walsh (R)

See above.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

I think I would be great at representing my legislative district. Let's start there! But, if called upon to serve in a different office, I would consider it an honor.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

I'm a high school teacher. I hear stories every day about hardships experienced by hard-working families who are simply trying to give their loved ones a good life. It is all of these stories that come together to create a picture of struggle that is unprecedented. This is why I'm compelled to run for office.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

This is always dependent upon what exactly constitutes an emergency. Overreach can be dangerous. This is not something I would answer with confidence at this point in my experience.

Jim Walsh (R)

Yes.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Kelli Hughes-Ham (D)

Yes. Especially now. We won't get anywhere without compromise, and we will continue to exist in this unproductive, toxic stalemate. But please don't take this as weakness... we all need to come together on shared values of taking care of our communities, our country, and our planet for our children.

Jim Walsh (R)

Necessary, sometimes. Not necessarily desirable. To compromise without losing integrity, a legislator must start from a place of strong principles. And return to that place regularly.

See also

More about these elections:

• Washington House of Representatives elections, 2022

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