Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

Other Views: Herrera Beutler Graceful in Face of Defeat

The ouster of Jaime Herrera Beutler as our congressional representative brings about something increasingly rare in modern politics: A gracious farewell. Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, on … more

The Columbian Editorial Board | 8/11/22

Officials tour a hydrogen powered bus in this Chronicle file photo from 2021.

Bill Moeller Commentary: Hydrogen Fuels Deep Thoughts on Boundaries of Twin Transit

A story in a recent copy of this newspaper made me aware of the fact that I haven’t kept up with the times. That’s something that, as a much younger lad, I used to accuse most older … more

By Bill Moeller / For the Chronicle | 8/10/22

Sen. Jim McCune, R-Graham, represents the 2nd Legislative District, which includes southern Pierce County and part of Thurston County, including Yelm and Lacey.

Commentary: Violent Crime Born of Bad Policies That Must Be Addressed Now

The final weekend of July was a lot like many in Pierce County recently. Two people were shot in a Tacoma park, one fatally. A shootout at a South Tacoma gas station left one man dead. In another … more

By Sen. Jim McCune | 8/10/22

Commentary: 'We Are at War' — So Much for the GOP General Election Pivot to the Middle

Remember the old days, meaning a blink ago, when political candidates would come out of a pitched primary election and then pivot to appeal to the broader middle? Now what you do is ramp up the … more

Danny Westneat / The Seattle Times | 8/10/22

Commentary: Policy Center's Cost Projections for Low-Carbon Fuel Law Confirmed

Next year, one of the state’s newly adopted climate policies, the low-carbon fuel standard, will take effect in Washington state. The legislation requires companies to reduce the carbon … more

By Todd Myers / Washington Policy Center | 8/8/22

Peter Abbarno Commentary: America’s Heartland Is All Around Us

County and regional fairs across the state are just around the corner. Many of our thoughts turn to great fair food, rides, games and entertainment. Here at home in Lewis County, the Southwest … more

8/7/22

A machine sorts ballots for the presidential primary by precinct at Thurston County’s ballot processing center in 2020.

Commentary: Election Fraud Mania Reaches the Trenches of Democracy

This has been vote-counting week around the state. But the guy in charge of counting them down in Mason County says he can't go into the vote-counting room. "If I go in, someone would immediately … more

Danny Westneat / The Seattle Times | 8/6/22

Chronicle columnist Brian Mittge, in the green shirt at center-right, watches as election results appear on screens Tuesday night at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis.

Brian Mittge Commentary: When the Votes Are Close, Character Shines Through

As I write this, the race for second place in the Third Congressional District is national news. Who will represent the Republican Party in the November election? Will it be incumbent U.S. … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 8/5/22

Centralia Farmers Market supporters Wanda Steger, Sarah Althauser, Marie Shankle, Brett Shankle, Bruce Yost and market mascot Beatrice gather in Pine Street Plaza earlier this year. After four seasons at the Centralia Factory Outlet, the market opened its season May 6 back in the heart of the downtown core.

Bill Moeller Commentary: New Farmers Market Location Is a Very Welcome Change

As you read this it’s probably sometime around Thursday, Aug. 4, but I wrote it Saturday morning, July 29. At the time, I was debating whether or not an old geezer should even be … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 8/3/22

Commentary: Fewer Firefighters Due to Mandate Should Make Us Hot Under the Collar

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement for state employees — you know, the one that cannot stop spread or transmission of the virus among coworkers — could … more

By Elizabeth Hovde / Washington Policy Center | 8/3/22 | 1 comment

Joe Kent speaks at a rally in Clark County.

Commentary: That Big Red Wave? It Didn't Reach the Shores of Washington State

So much for that rumored big red conservative wave. So much also for the conspiracy theorists, the election deniers (most of them, anyway), and the MAGA right-wingers. All of these things … more

Danny Westneat / The Seattle Times | 8/3/22

Bob Mohrbacher is president of Centralia College.

Commentary: Trades Training Will Always Be a High Priority at Centralia College

It’s an odd thing I hear from time to time. Either in person or on social media, someone will snark about Centralia College and say they only support trade schools. In fact, … more

By Bob Mohrbacher / Centralia College President | 8/1/22

Kris Johnson is president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s chamber of commerce and manufacturers association.

Commentary: Employers Can Study Up Now for November Elections

Summertime during an election year is a busy time, and not just for the candidates who are ringing doorbells, walking in parades and working the phones to rally support. It’s also a busy time … more

By Kris Johnson / Association of Washington Business | 8/1/22

Brian Mittge Commentary: As Election Approaches, Another Choice for Congress

Over the past few weeks, as I’ve encouraged voters across the political spectrum to support Jaime Herrera Beutler for Congress, I’ve heard from some folks who strongly disagree with that … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 7/29/22

A sign posted outside the Seattle Public Library’s Broadview Branch on Sunday, July 17, 2022, warns that a ballot box there is "under surveillance." (Jim Brunner/The Seattle Times/TNS)

Commentary: The GOP's Election Conspiracy Scam Has Come Full Circle in Washington

The other day out in the Tri-Cities, in Central Washington, an unusual bulletin appeared from a local chapter of the Republican Party. "Don't vote early!!!" read an alert, from the Benton County … more

Danny Westneat / The Seattle Times | 7/27/22

The newly finished dance floor of Swede Hall is pictured in this photograph shared by the Rochester Citizens Group in January.

Bill Moeller Commentary: A Look at the Rich History of Swede Hall

Earlier this year when I was writing about the south Thurston County schoolhouse in what used to be the town of Gate, I was approached by one of the citizens who works toward its maintenance. Her … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 7/27/22

John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com.

John McCroskey Commentary: I’m Almost Starting to Miss the Jimmy Carter Years

I survived President Jimmy Carter and the gas rationing, super high home interest rates, unemployment and weakness on the world stage. Those of us who did can see similarities to what’s … more

By John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 7/27/22

Ruth Peterson, state committeewoman for the Lewis County Republicans, talks with Ron Averill before a Lewis County Republicans meeting at the Chehalis Eagles Aerie. Peterson is the author of this commentary.

Commentary: What Direction Do We Go as a Republican Party?

We live in a society that is becoming more angry and less civil every day. Lack of civility has unfortunately come to the Lewis County Republican Party, and it’s even become headline news. … more

By Ruth Peterson / Lewis County Republicans committeewoman | 7/27/22

Don Brunell Commentary: Restoring America’s Semiconductor Edge

Surprisingly, recent U.S. presidents and congressional Democrats and Republicans agree America’s economic and national security hinge upon tiny, yet powerful semiconductors. Semiconductor … more

By Don C. Brunell | 7/26/22

Julie McDonald Commentary: Responses — and Lack Thereof — Offer Insight Into PUD, Commissioner Races

Like others in Lewis County, I received my Aug. 2 primary ballot as well as the informative local elections guide provided by the auditor’s office that provides biographical information and … more

7/25/22