In November, voters in the 44th Legislative District will have their pick for senator between Democratic incumbent John Lovick and a Republican Snohomish School Board member.
Lovick’s long career of public service is impressive, as he served 30 years in the Washington State Patrol and as Snohomish County sheriff.
During his legislative tenure, first as a representative and now a senator, he has focused mostly on public safety. This session he sponsored Senate Bill 5974, which establishes standardized eligibility requirements to serve as police chief, marshal or sheriff. It also raises the minimum age requirement to 25, and requires the office holder to be a state-certified law enforcement officer or get certified within nine months.
“If I’m decertified as a sheriff, I should not be allowed to stay in that office,” said the former sheriff. “If a police officer is decertified by a legal process, he cannot continue to stop, detain and take a life. Why should a law enforcement leader be allowed to do so? It’s about accountability.”
In 2023, Lovick was instrumental in securing funding to expand the number of law enforcement academies in the state, from one to five. Prior to their establishment, some recruits had to wait years to attend the basic law enforcement academy in Burien.
This past session, Lovick joined with most other Democrats to pass the income tax on people earning more than $1 million — even though national bond rating agencies Moody and Fitch gave the state a negative outlook, a risk for the state’s credit rating.
Lovick said he looked at what he called the tax’s positives that could come from the revenue when he cast his yes vote. That includes expanding the Working Families Tax Credit, eliminating sales tax on personal items like diapers and over the counter health products. There are also B&O tax exemptions for some businesses.
Those are the proponents’ talking points, but Lovick seemed mostly unmoved by the Legislature’s overspending in recent years.
That’s where his opponent, Republican Sherri Larkin, starts her pitch. She is concerned about the Legislature’s spending overshooting the state’s revenues. The school board member also questions why outcomes for students persist at low levels, despite investment since the McCleary education finance ruling.
While her views are consistent with The Times editorial board’s, her answers with regard to climate change and Lovick’s law about sheriff credentials were unsatisfying. She also seemed unconcerned about federal agents wearing masks in Washington, even though the Legislature has banned them.
The better choice for the 44th District Senate seat remains John Lovick.
