David Castillo – A New Conservative Voice

            Even before longtime Congressman Brian Baird announced he would not seek reelection, David Castillo was running for the third district House seat.  Since Baird’s announcement, the field has become crowded with five other candidates, but Castillo remains a leading contender.  I meet the candidate this last Thursday at a forum held in Olympia. 

          All six candidates vying for the third congressional seat answered questions put to them by a panel.  The three Republicans all lean conservative to varying degrees and, frankly, any of them would be an improvement over the liberal Brian Baird.  All Republican candidates favored securing the southern border, lowering taxes and reducing government spending. Kyle Pratt and David Castillo at the Olympic Center

          One of the three, David Hedrick, came to public attention when he denounced Baird at a town hall meeting.  While he is witty and I agree with his sentiment and many of his ideas, his outburst against Baird and conservative ideals are not enough to win either my endorsement or the election.

          Politically, Jaime Herrera is the most experienced.  She has held temporary state Senate and White House positions and served as Senior Legislative Aide for Republican Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Currently she is the State Representative for the 18th Legislative District. Experience is important, but I wanted to know her plans.  While she has a track record as a fiscal conservative, she avoided specifics on how to keep Social Security solvent.  On several other questions, either she avoided answering or her answers were vague.  She is skilled enough that I am certain this was intentional.  

          David Castillo, described himself as a conservative and went on to say he was, “conservative of conscience and character.”  His answers were specific about what he would do if elected. On the Social Security question, he favored reducing the rate of benefit growth, indexing benefits to life expectancy and offering younger workers improved IRAs.  He favors a flat tax to replace the income tax, local control of schools and the abolition of the federal Department of Education.   

          I appreciated the well thought out and detailed answers David Castillo provided.  After hearing him speak and speaking to him, I am convinced he can win and be a fresh conservative voice for the district.  I support and endorse him for election to the House of Representatives for Washington's third congressional district.