Jay Inslee Vs Culp-ability: A Washington Decision

[AdSense-A]

By Evan Shelton

Washington State has been a Democrat stronghold for decades. Not voting for a Republican presidential candidate since 1988 and not having a Republican Governor since 1985. Decades of failure in the state has resulted in Washington’s GOP organizations being largely ignored by the national GOP. As such, the Republican candidates for Governor the past few elections have been, less than amazing. However, this year, “less than mazing” does not begin to describe the horrendous candidate that the GOP has put forth for the state’s governor.

His name is Loren Culp and it is tough to say where to start critiquing him. Culp is the Police Chief of Republic, Washington. Do not feel too bad if you have never heard of Republic, Washington. As a lifelong Washingtonian, I had never heard of the small town prior to Culp’s emergence. In fact, the town is so small it is excluded from most state maps. Some might ask, how does running a small police department qualify someone to be governor? It does not. In fact, Republic’s entire police force totals only one police officer. Himself. That’s right, Culp might call himself “Police Chief” but in reality, he is the town’s sole police officer.

The only reason Culp has enough notoriety to mount a gubernatorial bid is his extremely controversial stance on Washington State’s 2018 voter approved ballot measure that put bans on bump stocks and age restrictions on semi-automatic weapons. Pretty basic measure that was immensely popular. But not for Culp. Culp did not care that Washington voters had spoken. He publicly announced that he would not be enforcing the law within his jurisdiction. Something that earned him an appearance on Tucker Carlson Tonight.

Lack of experience and a general disagreement with the constituents he is trying to govern are only the beginning of Culp’s problems. Culp continues to be dogged by a lawsuit filed in 2017. The lawsuit alleges that Culp “failed to properly investigate and report to state authorities” allegations from 2013 by a 17-year-old girl who reported a male relative had been sexually molesting her since she was 5. For his part, Culp deemed the claim unworthy of serious investigation. Fortunately, neighboring Benton County Sheriff’s Office did properly investigate and that investigation lead to a prompt conviction. Regardless, the success of Benton County’s Sheriff does not hide the failure and cruelty of Culp’s refusal to investigate.

As Culp takes to the ballot with a total lack of experience, very little in common with those he seeks to govern and an active lawsuit, Democrats are putting forth a two-term governor and former presidential candidate. Culp has no business governing Washington, but Jay Inslee has been a remarkable governor.

His nation leading climate policies is only Inslee’s most famous claim. Starting his career as an attorney and founding member of multiple Washington Bar organizations, Inslee has served in both Washington State and US Congress and has served two terms as governor. Inslee’s time as Governor has not been easy either. Walking a tight rope between an ever farther left state that is home to eleven Fortune 500 companies. He has also overseen one of the nation’s most successful COVID19 recoveries, passed the nation’s first paid family leave program, oversaw an expansion of Washington’s public health option, appointed the most diverse supreme court in Washington’s history and quite literally so much more. Considering the historical difficulties Jay Inslee’s has to face, it is not be an overstatement to say he is one of the most successful governors in Washington’s history.

So the choice comes to this. Jay Inslee, an experienced and caring leader who has guided Washington through two terms that were defined by a success that far outpaced the neighboring states. Including multiple years as being ranked the #1 state to live in. Or Loren Culp, the Police Chief who oversaw no one and is being sued for under investigating egregious and blatant molestation. The Choice is ours.

[si-contact-form form=’2′]