Spokane7
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July 30, 2010 in Opinion
Editorial: O’Quinn has right attitude for leadership
Voters in Spokane’s 6th Legislative District seemed torn two years ago. Faced with a choice between four-term Republican incumbent John Ahern and Democratic newcomer John Driscoll, they made a change, but not decisively. The election for the House seat came down to a scant 74 votes out of more than 70,000 cast.
Voters in the traditionally Republican district appeared weary of Ahern’s rigid ideology. Many of them were ready to take a chance on a Democrat with free-market sympathies and ties to the city’s health care community.
Driscoll has done OK, taking cautiously restrained positions that deviated from his caucus’s generally more liberal views on taxing and spending. But if those votes have earned him any constituent approval, they also limit his potential to be influential in his caucus – and therefore on behalf of his constituents.
This year’s rematch between Driscoll and Ahern would be uninspiring but for the entry of Republican Shelly O’Quinn, a bright, energetic and well-qualified newcomer. She’s what the Legislature needs, a pragmatic conservative who respects the role that compromise plays in achieving goals.
O’Quinn bears the newcomer’s burden of making her name and qualities known to voters, but there’s plenty to like for those who get to know her.
Raised and educated in Spokane, she took off after graduation from college on a Central American adventure that led to small business development work in Honduras. Her resume is rich with activities that couple entrepreneurism with social outreach – work she describes as empowerment.
In Spokane she’s been family services director for Habitat for Humanity, executive director of the George Nethercutt Foundation and is now work force development manager for Greater Spokane Incorporated. Her breadth of experience and her familiarity with business challenges amply qualify her to represent Spokane’s concerns in the House.
Ahern describes himself as a legislator who “knows how to get things done,” and his work to create a Spokane Veterans Home and to enact a felony drunken driving statute were worthy accomplishments. Still, we’d expect more from eight years in office.
Instead Ahern was mostly associated with the image the GOP has acquired – and which O’Quinn wants to change – as the “party of ‘no.’ ”
“You can either choose to sit back and decide you’re not going to play the game, or you can figure out how to play it effectively,” she told us.
In O’Quinn, voters in the 6th District have a chance to support the kind of thoughtful, moderate conservatism modeled by former Gov. Dan Evans and such lawmakers as A.J. “Bud” Pardini, who was representing the 6th District, honorably and effectively, in the 1970s when O’Quinn was born.
Those were more favorable political times, and Shelly O’Quinn has the potential to help restore them.
To respond online, click on Opinion under the Topics menu at www.spokesman.com.
Editorial: Workers’ beer routine undermines public trust 
JBlim on July 30 at 6:42 a.m.
Why send a political novice of the minority party to Olympia to represent Spokane? She’ll likely not get anything done except add another dreary voice to the party of no. We already have a solid main stream representative there in the form of John Driscoll, an expert in health care, which is the lifeblood of Spokane’s economy. Once again, the Spokesman puts it’s own narrow political self interest over the people of Spokane. Besides, if the Republicans want an experienced and respected man with a long track record in Olympia, why not go with John Ahern?
spokanesausage on July 30 at 7:56 a.m.
Ms. O’Quinn will be a nice change of pace and has a lot of experience in economic development and is a strong supporter of education.
The state democrats have been shameful in their tax increases and their inablity to prioritize the essential functions of governement.
At the state level, it’s time for a change.
horse_feathers on July 30 at 8:51 a.m.
I was thinking about voting for O’Quin then I read this article.
GOPfan1776 on July 30 at 9:14 a.m.
An outstanding article about a truly remarkable candidate. Shelly O’Quinn is the leadership Spokane and Washington badly need. The Spokesman nailed it right on the head- John #1 was ineffective during his 8 year attempt, and John #2 hasn’t lived up to his promises, and will not get anywhere in his party. O’Quinn has the respect and support of the business community, working families, veterans, elected officials and many many more (see her website endorsements www.voteshellyoquinn.com).
Panorama on July 30 at 10:13 a.m.
Well, GOPfan1776, the spokesman nailed some of it. They say she respects the role that compromise plays in achieving goals. I would like a representative that will not compromise on their values. If that is Republican or Democrat, I like to know they will stick by what they campaign on, that way I know what I am getting. We don’t need more people that say they will do one thing and then get in to office and “compromise” in to doing something completely different.
And they say she is a moderate conservative. I think they just didn’t want to be rude. She is a Libral who is running as a Republican because that is what she thinks will get her into office.
Anyone that has to go get the endorsement of a fake Republican group to fool people into thinking they are actually supported by Republicans, makes me wonder why.
Pick a candidate that will stand by their word. She has already been all over the map on issues from one speaking event to the next.
Dazzeetrader11 on July 30 at 10:31 a.m.
Somebody needs to do something! Driscoll may be a nice man but he did nothing…not even a little. Ahern is well….as the Paper says…rigid ideology….and this isn’t what the culture likes anymore. Shelly is kinda like Panorama says….liberal but is not so far from the center that she wouldn’t work out. COnservative people who work hard is whar’s needed. Cannot go wrong with either Ahern or Shelly.
Destructo on July 30 at 3:39 p.m.
I agree with this article 99%. All the reasons and qualifications add up to her being the best candidate. The 1% I don’t agree with is the compromise part. She is conservative and I believe she won’t compromise her principles. She may have to bite the bullet on a few smaller things but on the important issues she’ll stay strong.
Citizen on July 30 at 7:18 p.m.
Strange year with carpetbaggers abounding. Has O’Quinn ever voted in the district she would hope to represent? Did she ever sell her house in the Valley and move into the Spokane rental?
I cannot see voting for a representative that hasn’t lived in my neighborhood long enough to understand our issues.
Panorama on July 31 at 11:17 p.m.
Why is the Spokesman not reporting that Shelly O’Quinn has lived in the district less than a year?
You can check voter records, she was voting in the valley in the 2009 primary. And she still owns her house in the valley and is only renting in the 6th district.
Report on a real story!
mmspowaus on August 03 at 5:04 a.m.
The S-Review Ed board endorsed the following:
Jim West for Mayor
Brad Stark for City Council and County Assessor
John Powers for Mayor
Dennis Hession for Council President and Mayor
Todd Mielke for County Commissioner, twice.
The Rathdrum refueling station
The sale of Joe Albi Stadium (in 2005 and the surrounding 89 acres for less than 3 million dollars when it was assessed by Spokane County at 29 million).
The replacement of iconic Monroe Street Bridge with a modern generic bridge connected to Lincoln Street
Lite-Rail X5
Al French for County Commissioner.
etc…
And now Shelly O’Qunn
JBlim on August 03 at 6:50 a.m.
Yeah, Brad Stark, the man who would have sold Joe Albi for chump change, IOW the man who knew the value of nothing wanted to be county assessor … and the Spokesman endorsed the guy.
eagleproducer on August 16 at 4:56 p.m.
O’quinn and Baumgartner are both carpetbaggers hand picked for their cosmetic appeal.
Check out O’Quinn on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKKIUdUxCfE
Priceless!