PULLMAN — Contestants for the 9th Legislative District Representative Position 2 believe rural communities should be better represented in state affairs.
Incumbent Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, and his challenger Spokane democrat Pam Kohlmeier agreed on this during a debate held Monday evening in Pullman.
The League of Women Voters of Pullman hosted a candidate forum for Washington State House of Representatives Position 2 competitors in light of the coming primary election.
Schmick will face Kohlmeier and Spokane democrat Arianna Arends on Aug. 6. The top two contestants will advance to the general election in November.
The league extended an invitation to Arends, who declined to attend the forum.
Schmick said since he was first appointed in 2007, he continues to run to improve Washington’s rural communities.
The Whitman County native has farmed for more than 35 years, and said he’s seen small communities struggle. His primary goal is to keep health care affordable and accessible, especially in underserved rural areas.
Kohlmeier is a physician and attorney who’s lived in South Hill Spokane for 19 years. She decided to run because she has a deep understanding of medicine and law, and said she’s committed to making the system better.
She’s passionate about rural health, which she said is struggling. Her goal is to improve broadband access to health care and mental health services.
Both Schmick and Kohlmeier saw eye to eye on many topics. They acknowledged a need for more care providers and programs in Washington.
The two discussed topics like substance abuse, mental health and homelessness during the debate. They were in agreement that empathy is the first step to addressing these issues, and access to health care will help solve it.
Kohlmeier said public health should be proactive. She said meeting people’s basic needs like adequate food, shelter and care ensures healthy individuals.
Schmick and Kohlmeier said mental health services can provide people with an alternative by helping them identify and improve their situation.
Schmick said there are challenges, however. A lack of providers in the state has been a problem for several years and local options in smaller communities are sparse.
The two also recognized the importance to reproductive health, who said Washington law has and will uphold the right to an abortion.
They also touched on the climate and carbon emissions. Schmick and Kohlmeier said Washington does a decent job at offsetting its carbon footprint, but it’s something people should be aware of.
Schmick said the amount of emissions Washington produces has increased over the years, but it’s primarily due to transportation. He added that people should be cognizant of what’s being put into the air, but also realize there’s bigger contributors to the issue, like China.
Kohlmeier said everyone needs to try better at controlling their carbon footprint, but acknowledged there’s only so much people can do. She added if Washington wants to limit its carbon emissions, it should be prepared and focus on providing clean energy.
They also mentioned water issues like the Palouse’s declining aquifer. Both said water is a vital resource, and conservation efforts are necessary to retain it.
The only topic Schmick and Kohlmeier disagreed on was diversity, equity and inclusion plans in schools. Kohlmeier said it’s something that needs to begin in the classroom to teach people how to accept one another. Schmick said the decision should be made at a local level, and it’s ultimately up to the school board to choose to incorporate these programs.
Schmick said people should vote for him because he has the experience and relationships to best serve Whitman’s constituents.
Kohlmeier said she offers a fresh set of ideas and it’s time for a change.
To view the full recording of the debate, visit the League of Women Voters’ website at lwvpullman.org.
Pearce can be reached at epearce@dnews.com.
