Herald election letters for Torres, Rodriguez, Orosco, White, Didier and Eisinger

Honeyford will vote for Torres

Please join me in voting for Nikki Torres for Senate in the 15th District. Nikki will support our law enforcement officers and, as a former police officer, that is important for me. She understands agriculture, will continue my work on water and will oppose removing of our dams.

Nikki will work for economic development that is so important to the people of the 15th district. Her support of families of the 15th District includes working for affordable housing.

As our senator, she will use her professional experience and leadership to work for us in Olympia. She will oppose the radical legislation proposed by the Seattle Democrats. We need her voice in Olympia.

I have endorsed Nikki Torres and will vote for her. I ask you to vote for her too.

Sen. Jim Honeyford, Sunnyside

Cicotte ran with GOP in 2014

Lest you think George Cicotte is completely transparent in his Voters’ Pamphlet submission, this supposedly “impartial” candidate for Benton-Franklin Superior Court Position 4 ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in the primary as a Republican in 2014 and then supported Clint Didier, of all “impartial” candidates, in the general. Since the other candidate in that race was the more moderate current incumbent, that is a telling indication that he isn’t even a moderate Republican.

Furthermore, he is running to sit on a bench that decides criminal cases, including capital offenses, and his experience is investments and pensions.

He also promises to inject religion into his work by putting his faith into the motto “In God We Trust,” while somehow simultaneously not being influenced by special interests.

In contrast, the incumbent, Norma Rodriguez, has 29 years of relevant litigation and judicial experience. I know who I’m voting for. I want justice in my community to be genuine.

Judith Johannesen, Richland

Orosco right for Franklin court

I have had the pleasure of working with and watching Trinity Orosco grow as common-sense, down-to=earth attorney in our community. Her vast knowledge of the law and commitment to our community is outstanding. Trinity is the best choice for Franklin County District Court judge. She will listen, follow the law and deliver fair and concise rulings that are consistent with the Constitution.

She understands the needs of our community and will apply her decisions even handedly. Trinity possesses healthy family values and is both gracious and compassionate with all walks of life. The temperament of a judge is a very important trait that Trinity naturally fits into. Her intelligence and wisdom will serve our community in an ethical and transparent manner. Please join me in voting for Trinity Orosco for Franklin County District Court judge.

Shelly Ajax, Kennewick

Adding agents to IRS makes sense

Dan Newhouse is campaigning against Doug White’s proposal to hire more IRS agents.

Thanks to Republicans like Newhouse, the IRS has been underfunded since 2010, when Obama was president.

Why would any law-abiding legislator not want to appropriate enough money for the IRS to do its job? The answer, of course, is obvious. Newhouse doesn’t want the IRS to have the staff necessary to collect taxes from rich people like himself.

The IRS doesn’t have any trouble collecting taxes from average Americans; their taxes are automatically deducted from their paychecks. It’s the rich, like Newhouse, who make it hard for the IRS to collect taxes. The rich file complex tax forms that claim all sorts of deductions, many of which are often not audited because the IRS doesn’t have the necessary staff.

Vote for White; he’ll make sure the rich also pay their fair share of taxes.

Jack Edwards, Richland

Columbia official endorses Didier

I have had the distinct pleasure and honor of having worked with your Franklin County Commissioner Clint Didier these last three years as a county commissioner in the neighboring county of Columbia. Commissioner Didier has been a valuable ally in working to safeguard the rights and freedoms of the citizens of Washington and has been a model for other commissioners to follow.

I hope that the citizens of Franklin County will return to office this highly principled and effective leader so that we can continue to work together to improve the economic and social conditions for all Eastern Washingtonians.

Tough times don’t last, but tough people do; Commissioner Didier will continue to see you through!

County Commissioner Charles Amerein, Columbia County

Rodriguez best choice for judge

For over 30 years, I have spent my career in the company of lawyers and judges.

Norma Rodriguez has the wisdom and experience of a true trial advocate who has tried many complicated cases in front of juries, the care and concern for the common person and a life story of hard work and perseverance.

She brings those qualities to the bench. As someone who sees the court from the inside on a daily basis, and who has worked with Norma hundreds of times in court, as well as in confidential settings with her clients, I can assure this community that Norma is focused on justice and service and giving back, not on politics.

She left a very busy and successful private practice to serve as our Superior Court judge, standing in stark contrast to her opponent, who is transparent about his purely political motivations for running against her. Remarkably, in all my years of being in court on a daily basis, I have never seen her opponent in the Benton or Franklin County Courthouse once.

Norma is, without a doubt, the more qualified candidate for this position. Take it from someone who knows the inside of a courtroom.

Ana Armijo. Pasco

Court Certified Interpreter, Benton and Franklin County District and Superior Courts

Fellow attorney picks Eisinger

Eric Eisinger will be an outstanding prosecutor for the people of Benton County. Eric Eisinger began his career in 2003 as a deputy prosecuting attorney for Yakima County. From there, he went to serve as a deputy prosecuting attorney for Lewis County. In 2006, he moved to the Tri Cities and became a prosecutor for the City of Kennewick. In 2010, he went into private practice as a trial attorney and joined our firm in 2011.

The primary function of the prosecuting attorney is to prosecute people who have committed a crime. During his career as a prosecuting attorney, Eric Eisinger prosecuted between 2,000 to 3,000 cases. Prior to May of this year, his opponent had not prosecuted a single criminal case in his whole career. He took on his first criminal case after he announced he was going to run for the position of Benton County prosecutor.

The people of Benton County need a prosecuting attorney who has tried thousands of cases throughout his career and wants to use those skills to serve and protect the people of Benton County.

Eric Eisinger will be an outstanding prosecutor for the people of Benton County.

Tom Heye, partner, Walker Heye, PLLC, Richland

Here’s a way to dilute metro vote

This is the only way to have a fair and impartial general election:

After the primary election, have each state vote, by county for the candidate they want as president.

The candidate with the majority county vote is the state nominee. The state then casts its one state vote (1) as selected per county vote.

For president, the 50 states plus D.C., equals 51 votes. The candidate with 26, or majority of 51 votes, wins.

End of story: No more will large metro areas be determining what the rest of the state wants.

Bob Page, Kennewick