Senate hopeful St. Clair meets and greets La Conner

Renewable energy is a key issue for state Senate hopeful Janet St. Clair, a two-term Island County commissioner with an extensive background in public education and social work.

Renewable energy also defines her campaign style.

St. Clair brought her energetic, bilingual approach to La Conner on June 3, meeting at the Civic Garden Club with local Democrats. State Rep. Debra Lekanoff, D-Bow, attended and offered a ringing endorsement of her candidacy for the 10th Legislative District seat.

St. Clair, a Camano Island resident, is challenging incumbent Ron Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor, ranking member of the senate's Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources and Parks Committee this election cycle.

She plans a vigorous challenge. Lekanoff twice suggested St. Clair could ring upward of 26,000 doorbells in her quest to unseat Muzzall.

A 20-year member of North Whidbey Fire and Rescue, Muzzall is perhaps best known locally for meeting with La Conner officials during the 2024 legislative session to discuss potential state funding for the town's purchase of a fireboat.

The St. Clair-Muzzall race is expected to be the most expensive legislative contest in the state this year.

St. Clair expressed her long-held fondness for La Conner during the stop. She said her intent if elected is to pursue policy initiatives to address inflation, housing and food security, education, public safety, equity, health care, environmental protection and support for veterans, among others.

"Some people are in it for politics," she told the Weekly News. "I'm in it for policy."

After teaching, St. Clair embarked on a 30-year career in social work that prepared her for public service.

"It involved a lot of problem-solving," St. Clair said.

Solving problems related to rural broadband deserts, preserving the environment, and making health care more accessible inspired her to run for state office. She has mapped the legislative district to see where broadband is lacking.

"I'm a nerd about things like that," she said.

St. Clair said she has enjoyed serving as a county commissioner, especially in terms of constituent services. Ironically, she was on the receiving end of invaluable service provided six years ago by Lekanoff, who worked with the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community.

When the Skagit County Health Department denied St. Clair a permit for a salmon barbecue at Pioneer Park, Lekanoff had the Tribe prepare and deliver the fish.

"I doubt I could ever repay her for that," St. Clair said.

Lekanoff indicated the debt would be forgiven in full should St. Clair gain election to Olympia.

"Janet is going to be a blessing to the Senate," Lekanoff said. "She's approachable and kind and all about 'we' and not 'I.'"

St. Clair said she embraces collaboration and cooperation.

"You work it," she said. "You talk to people in the community. You listen and do the things that matter."

St. Clair said when she helped craft national health policy, she often worked with Republicans to achieve common goals.

"There's enough nonsense out there," she said. "We need to work together."

Addressing the 10th District housing crunch, where low availability is causing costs to soar, St. Clair said innovative ideas from all sectors are needed.

"We have to create a pathway for young families to lease farmland and find housing," she said. Codes supporting on-premises accessory dwelling units could prove "an option for affordable housing."

St. Clair's then devoted time to a question-and-answer session, with many of the queries related to her campaign strategies for voter turnout, fundraising, doorbelling and appealing to younger voters.

She said hard work and tireless energy will be employed on all fronts.

"One voice, one vote, one dollar," St. Clair said. "Let's just make it happen."