I am writing to express my support for 45th District state Rep. Roger Goodman. Roger’s legislative record alone is enough to earn my vote. His success in reforming DUI and domestic violence laws, his work in education toward smaller class sizes and high-quality preschool and his sheer hard work and pragmatism in all his efforts are clear examples of his commitment to the citizens of his district.

I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to him several times, and he’s the rare politician who actually listens. And in this particular election, his alignment with the Democratic Party makes a vote for Roger Goodman a vote for the right side of history.

I know Roger’s opponent, Ramiro Valderrama, fairly well. He goes to my church, I frequently see him at Sammamish Chamber of Commerce meetings and I had no problem voting for him for Sammamish City Council. I even gave him money for that race. I know he’s a decent guy. But the position was non-partisan.

When it comes to party alignment, the unthinkable has happened on the national level, and has taken the conversation somewhere it has never had to go before. If you can look at the Republican candidate for president, weigh the totality of his reprehensible behavior and still feel fine about aligning yourself with the Republican Party, you are exhibiting a profound moral weakness. To be human is to be flawed, and there is no party with completely clean hands. I understand that. But to choose to back a party that is putting its resources and energy behind this creature as its candidate for the country’s highest office is not just a flaw. It’s a fatal ethical failure, and a gutless act.

Vote for Roger Goodman.

Beáta Jachulski Baker

Sammamish