Voters in the 39th District have two well qualified candidates from which to choose when voting for 39th District Representative Position 1.

Incumbent Dan Kristiansen, a Republican running for his fourth term in the House of Representatives, is being challenged by Democrat Scott Olson. While both would serve the district well, we believe voters should re-elect Dan Kristiansen.

Challenger Olson has a diverse background which would bring a wealth of experience to the position. He has served on the Sultan City Council, volunteered with the Special Olympics and Miracle League, worked as a laborer, was a small business owner and served as a member of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce’s Vision 2010 Committee.

Kristiansen also has tremendous experience that would benefit the district. A third-term Representative, Kristiansen was in business for 20 years which included work at the local, state and federal levels. He is the House Republican Caucus Chair, and serves on the Transportation Committee, Joint Legislative Audit Review Committee, Joint Agency Review Committee, Capital Project Audit Review Board and the Ecology and Parks Committee.

When it comes to priorities, Kristiansen has promised to never vote for a new tax or an increase in taxes, is committed to making the highways in the 39th District safer and less congested, wants to reduce property tax and improve health care accessibility and affordability. Olson wants to provide a quality education for all children, provide quality health care for all Washingtonians, address transportation issues including safety and transportation alternatives, and wants responsible growth.

While both candidates could serve the district, we believe that Kristiansen’s experience makes him the best choice and he should be re-elected. These are important times and Kristiansen’s six years in the House give him the knowledge and skills to best address the critical issues that will come before the House of Representatives. His willingness to work in a bipartisan way will be an asset and enable him to reach across the aisle to get things done.

For more information about the candidates, visit Kristiansen’s Web site at www.dankristiansen.com and Olson’s Web site at www.electscott.org.

To contact a member of The Marysville Globe/Arlington Times editorial board — Stuart Chernis or Scott Frank — e-mail forum@marysvilleglobe.com.