I feel compelled to also submit a Letter to the Editor to share my thoughts about Sen. Andy Hill.

I went in with an open mind in contacting my State Senator’s office about issues I cared about. The response wasn’t based on party line rhetoric, but it was indicative of a career politician; someone who is playing the game instead of making change. For that reason, I can’t support Andy Hill.

School Violence: Not in a position to do anything

I called shortly after the school shooting at Seattle Pacific University. As I was starting law school soon after, the event left me full of anxiety. I called Sen. Hill’s office to ask what my senator thought and what he thinks can be done to curb violence in our schools. I was told that the senator was not in a position to do anything about it and that it would be unlikely for it to be an issue he would take up (because of the link to gun control).

Now, from a political positioning standpoint, this may be true. From a public service standpoint, that’s completely wrong. There are many things that any elected official can do. We don’t need someone to take our seat at the table who believes they can’t (and subsequently won’t) do anything.

Our issues do not exist in silos

Keeping with the example above of the school shooting, I was told Sen. Hill was focused on other issues, such as education. “He’s a PTA Dad.” How do you not see school violence as an issue a PTA dad or mom would care about?

His positioning sounds like he marked a checkbox on a list of issues, instead of showing thoughtful understanding of the interconnectedness of problems. It’s one thing to say you care about education and children, it’s another thing to be put in a position of power were you are expected to deliver on it. Senator Hill may have great answers prepared, but call and talk to his staff. You can get a real flavor for how he’s actually prioritizing.

I do not write to tell the readers who to vote for, though it should be no surprise who I support. I write to encourage people to look beyond bumper sticker positions, to be colorblind to the red vs. blue battle, and to ask yourself whether or not Andy Hill has used the position we gave him to serve us constituents, or to serve himself or his party. Please make informed decisions about who we are giving our seat up to.

Tiffany Curtiss, Kirkland