By Wendell Brown
October 22, 2006
A recent letter writer portrayed Roger Goodman as a one-issue candidate. This is like the Swift Boat liars who take a candidate's strength, say the opposite, and attack where their opponent is strongest. Roger Goodman, candidate for state representative from the 45th District, has a greater breadth of experience, encompassing a wider range of issues, than most of us can imagine ‹ from local neighborhood associations (Lakeview and Norkirk) to serving on the staff of members of Congress.
As a congressional chief of staff, legislative director and counsel in the 1980s and 1990s, he specialized in transportation, energy and environmental issues. While obtaining a master's in public administration from Harvard's Kennedy School, his concentration on social policy included education reform, public health, criminal justice and economic security. In his work as director of Washington's Sentencing Guidelines Commission, he not only proved tough on domestic violence, obtaining penalties for violations of protection orders, but got legislative approval for the funding to enforce these laws. His work with the King County Bar Association's Drug Policy Project has brought together diverse groups (physicians, lawyers and law enforcement, among others) to achieve both accountability and treatment as appropriate. This nationally recognized work protects our children, improves public health, decreases crime and disorder, and saves public dollars.
The 45th District Democrats have provided us with a refreshing choice: a real statesman with experience and integrity who deserves our vote.