Baxter a statesman

The letter from Carol Snyder commenting on Sen. Jeff Baxter’s endorsement by the United Steelworkers Union Local 338 was baffling.

The letter notes that while card-carrying conservatives like Rep. Matt Shea and Sen. Mike Baumgartner have endorsed Baxter, the USW Local 338 has never endorsed a Republican in the 4th District. The author opines that Baxter and the union “are keeping rather strange company.”

The letter denigrates Sen. Baxter for receiving the support of a labor union, implying he must not be conservative because of that support.

I find such an attitude to be backwards. That Sen. Baxter enjoys the support of well-known conservatives as well as a typically Democratic union tells me Sen. Baxter is one of those rare candidates that can actually communicate with interests on both ends of the political spectrum.

Rather than relying on polarizing political rhetoric, Sen. Baxter listens and speaks to all interests.

We need more statesmen like that.

But maybe it’s simpler than that – perhaps the union endorsed Sen. Baxter over his opponent for the simple fact Sen. Baxter has decades of experience running a small business and creating jobs. His opponent is a trial attorney and career politician.

Even labor unions can appreciate that difference.

Bonnie Shannon

Spokane