Mary Washington tougher than Sun thinks

The Sun editors who suggest that 43rd District state Senate candidate Mary Washington cannot "stand toe to toe with Senate President Mike Miller," clearly have not taken the full measure of Delegate Washington. In passing lightly over her "water bill and tax sales reform," as they endorse her opponent, the editors ignore the skill, tenacity and courage Ms. Washington has exhibited for the past seven years in achieving not just those reforms but in fighting for the environment, immigrants' rights, homeless youth, seniors, incarcerated women, and safety and privacy for all who use social media.

Ms. Washington's commitment to fully and fairly funded public schools and her advocacy for community school strategies rise from her own experience as an educator who has taught at every level of schooling, kindergarten to college. Her teaching gifts make her a truly democratic legislator: She is always learning and informing herself, she knows how to listen, she is empathetic and responsive, she explains clearly, she has a passion for the truth, she is in touch with and trusted by the people she represents.

This isn't the power of back room deal-cutting and one-upmanship that Sun editors imply a senator must have. It is however, the power that fosters the creative, positive change we so desperately need to preserve our democracy.

So, dear editors, thanks for the advice. But I am voting for Mary Washington.