City
In 2002 Campaign, KC Sheriff Ran as Anti-Tax, Pro-Gun "Conservative Republican"
Newly appointed King County Sheriff Steve Strachan---who, as PubliCola first reported, sponsored legislation as a Republican Minnesota state legislature putting strong restrictions on abortion---told PubliCola his views on choice have "evolved
" since then (2003 and 2004) and that he considers himself a non-partisan. ("I am in no way involved in partisan politics," Strachan told us earlier this week.)
Former US House speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), newly appointed King County Sheriff Steve Strachan, and US Rep. John Kline (R-MN)
Take him at his word or not (Planned Parenthood, for one, doesn't), it's worth taking a look at some of the other views Strachan held less than a decade ago---if for no other reason than the fact that the office of King County Sheriff, while it doesn't deal directly with issues like abortion, or transportation, or social services spending, has historically been a starting point for higher office. Just ask longtime US Rep., and former King County sheriff, Dave Reichert.
So here's what we can glean from Strachan's 2002 campaign web site:
First, under his core "beliefs," he listed the following: "Lower taxes; Smaller government; Accountability in Education; The Second Amendment; Balancing Anti-Terror Proposals with a healthy regard for Civil Liberties; and Respect for Life."
Second, he identified as a "conservative Republican." Specifically: "I am a conservative Republican with a strong record of responsible legislation and problem solving. To me, another word for being conservative is Common Sense. I believe that if we apply hard work and common sense, government can truly serve the people and be responsive to our needs."
Third, he opposed spending on light rail and supported spending on roads instead: "Additional lanes make more sense to our district than light rail. Transit is needed, but buses are much cheaper and far more flexible. I do not believe light rail does anything for our district and will oppose its expansion."
And fourth, he identified his "overall goal" as a state representative as "reduc[ing] the tax burden."
Again, many of these issues (with the possible exceptions of gun control and anti-terrorism laws) don't directly relate to the sheriff's office. But they do give a sense of where Strachan was on numerous important issues a mere ten years ago---issues that will be relevant if and when Strachan, like his Republican predecessor, decides to run for higher office.
Former US House speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), newly appointed King County Sheriff Steve Strachan, and US Rep. John Kline (R-MN)
Take him at his word or not (Planned Parenthood, for one, doesn't), it's worth taking a look at some of the other views Strachan held less than a decade ago---if for no other reason than the fact that the office of King County Sheriff, while it doesn't deal directly with issues like abortion, or transportation, or social services spending, has historically been a starting point for higher office. Just ask longtime US Rep., and former King County sheriff, Dave Reichert.
So here's what we can glean from Strachan's 2002 campaign web site:
First, under his core "beliefs," he listed the following: "Lower taxes; Smaller government; Accountability in Education; The Second Amendment; Balancing Anti-Terror Proposals with a healthy regard for Civil Liberties; and Respect for Life."
Second, he identified as a "conservative Republican." Specifically: "I am a conservative Republican with a strong record of responsible legislation and problem solving. To me, another word for being conservative is Common Sense. I believe that if we apply hard work and common sense, government can truly serve the people and be responsive to our needs."
Third, he opposed spending on light rail and supported spending on roads instead: "Additional lanes make more sense to our district than light rail. Transit is needed, but buses are much cheaper and far more flexible. I do not believe light rail does anything for our district and will oppose its expansion."
And fourth, he identified his "overall goal" as a state representative as "reduc[ing] the tax burden."
Again, many of these issues (with the possible exceptions of gun control and anti-terrorism laws) don't directly relate to the sheriff's office. But they do give a sense of where Strachan was on numerous important issues a mere ten years ago---issues that will be relevant if and when Strachan, like his Republican predecessor, decides to run for higher office.
