Best GOP choice in 5th is Cross
For only the third time in more than 60 years, voters in Washington’s 5th Congressional District are about to pick a new U.S. representative. Given the pattern of such extended tenure, the voters had better pick thoughtfully.
One half of the general election pairing is known now. Democrat Don Barbieri is unopposed for his party’s nomination to succeed Congressman George Nethercutt. Republicans, though, have a difficult choice to make from among three established candidates to oppose Barbieri on Nov. 2.
It’s not a contest of issues and ideologies, because there is little there to distinguish among state Sen. Larry Sheahan, state Rep. Cathy McMorris and Spokane attorney Shaun Cross. All hew closely to official party positions: support President Bush on the war, keep tax cuts in place, oppose gay marriage.
Therefore, a preference depends heavily on intangibles such as experience, background and relationships with other district residents whose cooperation and support will be vital to achieving Eastern Washington’s goals.
While both Sheahan and McMorris have several years of legislative service at the state level – credentials that Cross lacks – there are different kinds of experience, and we believe Cross has advantages that outweigh his rivals’ time in Olympia.
Like both of the others, Cross has solid family roots in the region. In addition, his quarter-century law practice includes a heavy emphasis on matters involving business, farming and the timber industry. That experience may explain why, in the editorial board’s meetings with the candidates, Cross demonstrated the deepest understanding of the economic issues that challenge this region. As an attorney representing clients contending with government regulations and adverse economic conditions, he seems to have a talent for analyzing problems, identifying causes and developing workable solutions.
And while McMorris and Sheahan have cultivated their own expertise in the legislative arena, Cross has been investing energy in a variety of civic causes. He’s been active in the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce and was set to take over as chairman when the congressional campaign came up. He’s on the board of trustees of Whitworth College and, most notably, was chairman of the Spokane Public Facilities District which oversaw the major job of moving Spokane’s vitally important Convention Center expansion project along.
He was also the managing partner of the largest law firm in the district. Clearly his leadership abilities are recognized by those who know him well.
Cross’ impressive record of community dedication and understanding could be applied on Eastern Washington’s behalf at the congressional level. It will take those qualities to effectively represent the 5th District’s interests when it comes to issues such as protecting Fairchild Air Force Base against closure and gaining federal support for further development of the health-care industry that is critical to the Spokane area’s economic future.
All three candidates for the Republican nomination are backed by formidable lists of organizations and individuals, but, as Cross points out, his include numerous respected medical-community figures, including the heads of both Sacred Heart and Deaconess medical centers. Assuming the next representative from the 5th District will have a role to play in securing federal assistance for this region’s health-care industry, it’s a persuasive statement that such key individuals trust Cross to get it done.
With their legislative experience, Sheahan and McMorris are prepared for congressional office as well, but Cross has greater experience in the areas that matter most, and his advancement to the general election would present 5th District voters with the strongest set of options.