Skagit Valley Herald - Congressional Novice Tries to Unseat Rep. Larsen

News Article

by Kera Wanielista

One is a political newcomer, running for office to "reboot" a "Do-Nothing Congress." The other is a seven-term incumbent, running for re-election with an emphasis on jobs.

B.J. Guillot of Marysville is challenging U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., for Washington's 2nd Congressional District, an area that covers parts of Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties, as well as all of Island and San Juan counties.

"When you look at the state of the economy, which is in recovery, but the recovery isn't being shared by everybody, it's pretty clear why I'm running," Larsen said. "To help get everybody back to work."

While his opponent has the name recognition, Guillot said he's ready to take on the challenge.

"Everybody has to start somewhere, and I'm going to bring the fight on," he said.
Both candidates say transportation and infrastucture are a priority.

"We've got transportation and infrastructure that's not quite crumbling, but if we don't act now, it could be," Guillot said.

Both pointed to the Skagit River Bridge, which collapsed after an oversize truck hit it on May 23, 2013, as an example.

The pending coal and oil train issues are concerns for both candidates, as well.

Guillot said he opposes additional trains, oil or coal moving through the region because of the additional transportation issues and safety issues that may arise for responders in a disaster.

He also said he would like to see the railroad company pay more to help address these concerns.
By Kera Wanielista
"If it's going to happen no matter what and there's nothing we can do to stop it, the one thing we can try and do is get them to (pay more)," Guillot said. "But if they're not willing to pay more, we need to do whatever we can do to try and stop it."

Larsen pointed to a recent study by the Puget Sound Regional Council that said train traffic is going to increase, but said safety was his primary concern for the additional trains.

"How you deal with safety of crude by rail is not how you deal with safety of moving train cars with coal," he said.

Larsen said he is on a committee to address such issues, including making rail cars safer, promoting more training for first responders and pushing the railroad companies to pay for such training.

"There is no one in the Washington state House delegation who is doing more on this issue than me to increase the safety standards," Larsen said.

He pointed to the train issue as another example of the need to improve local infrastructure and to keep or increase local jobs.

"There are those who say we should just ban these trains," Larsen said. "I think that's a difficult argument to make to the men and women who work at the refineries who are some of the highest paid people in Skagit County.… They wouldn't have a job."

Larsen said one of the biggest differences between him and his opponent lies in Guillot's support of a "fair tax" system, which proposes changes in the taxing system and effectively acts as a national sales tax on purchases.

Larsen said the fair tax plan would harm Social Security and Medicare programs. He would rather see the current payroll tax cap lifted, he said.

"I think that the fair-tax proposal that he has proposed is anything but fair," Larsen said.

Guillot, running as a Republican, said he would also like to address issues with the National Security Agency and put an end to the Patriot Act. He said he would be able to work with all of his colleagues in the House, regardless of party preference, to get things done.

"I think if you can reach across the aisle that makes you strong, it doesn't make you weak," Guillot said.

Larsen said he works with colleagues on both sides of the party line.

"Voters should choose me because they know I'm independent," Larsen said. "I will stand up for what I think."

Both candidates also stated education and the environment would be priorities for them.

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