Have you had enough partisan politics? Here is a chance to elect a nonpartisan for Grays Harbor County Commissioner. Candidates are asked what party affiliation they would like to declare when they register for an election. Randy Ross declared “no Party.”

I am not against party politics. It is a way for elected officials to join their comrades in a common cause with a party platform and established philosophy of governing. But why can’t the three county commissioners conduct the business of the county through discussion, promoting their views and voting their consciences?

In federal and state government the administrative and legislative functions are separated and there is a good argument for legislative and executive politicians to identify by party to promote their common goals. In county government these functions are combined in three coequal commissioners and there is no need for party affiliation.

When candidates declare a party, there is an inclination for voters to simply vote by party affiliation. Wouldn’t it be better if voters examined each candidate’s position on important issues and voted accordingly?

Randy Ross has made clear his positions on many current issues. For example, our county has a needle exchange program. This program is necessary to avoid unwanted disease and suffering. Randy supports a needle exchange as the best available approach to the epidemic of drug abuse in our county. That belief guides my voting much better than whether a candidate is Republican or Democrat.

As another example, we have many homeless people in Grays Harbor. How can we help alleviate this problem? Randy has proposed establishing a task force to tackle the problem. That is a much better approach than leaving it to party politics. All voters should look at the candidates’ positions on this issue and support the one who will do the best for our county. I believe the best candidate is Randy Ross.

In county elections I prefer candidates who have not tied themselves to any political party. I respect Randy Ross for his courage to be unassociated with a party. Furthermore, he has a record as the incumbent for all of us to inspect and he has the experience to make important decisions for the public.

Ken McDonald

Hoquiam