If tuition prices at UW, Western and WSU go through the roof in the next few years, State Sen. Derek Kilmer (D-26, Bremerton, Port Orchard, Gig Harbor) might be the name to curse.

Kilmer introduced the controversial bill to grant state universities the power to raise tuition themselves, without having to go through the state legislature for approval. College students and their families (U.W. already raised tuition 13 percent per year for the past two years) are understandably nervous.

Kilmer is one of Olympia's more conservative Democrats (he's a member of the conservative Dems' "Roadkill Caucus.") In addition to that tuition bill, he opposed suspending I-960, passage of the 2010-2011 budget, increasing classroom hours in public schools, and expanding the definition of (and funding for) basic education.

But that's not to say that he's a right-wing Republican in donkey's clothing: Kilmer voted in favor of expanding domestic partnership rights, increasing cigarette taxes, and public financing for local campaigns. NARAL, Washington Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club and the Washington State Labor Council all give him high ratings.

While we find Kilmer's quasi GOP stands and corporate campaign loot (to name a few big contributors: Pemco, Washington Beverage Association, Pfizer, Weyerhauser) worrisome, the alternatives are even less attractive.

Republican Marty McClendon is a real estate broker who rants about the need to lower taxes, reorganize the budget and allow private companies to bid on state contracts—but his only concrete proposal is to create an "Economic Competitive Council" to assign those contracts. Independent candidate Kristine Danielson has no functioning website, no money and no issue positions.

Neither of them are qualified. We may not be thrilled with some of Kilmer's decisions or with his corporate ties, but this time around he is the best suited for the job.

PubliCola picks Derek Kilmer.