The Renton Reporter strongly endorses state Rep. Marcie Maxwell of Renton for a third term representing the 41st District.

In her first two terms in the state House of Representatives, Maxwell has proven herself a valuable and influential leader and thinker on issues important to Renton – education, small business and the aerospace industry.

Her opponent, Republican Tim Eaves of Issaquah, is running in part because he saw that no one was stepping up to challenge Democrat Maxwell in her re-election bid. Eaves is new to the 41st District – before redistricting, he was in the 48th Legislative District in northeast King County.

And he told the Municipal League he’s running because Rob McKenna will need a like-minded House and Senate to advance his agenda if he’s elected governor. That’s one reason to run, but we want our lawmakers to advance the agenda of their constituents and not merely serve as a vote in the Legislature.

First, they have to understand that agenda.

Eaves admittedly has little exposure to Renton, other than contact with businesses with whom his business, a metal- fabricating company, does business.

His view on early childhood education in particular – he wants proof that it’s necessary – puts him at odds with the needs of Renton families. Statewide and nationally, that proof exists and anyone who pays attention to education knows that a key to a child’s success in school is getting them ready to learn.

No doubt Eaves is an experienced and successful engineer and business owner. But we sensed that because of his personal success, he may not understand why others need the support that we as a larger community can provide.

Maxwell, on the other hand, through deep community involvement in Renton and getting to know the people and their issues in all her district’s cities, continues to be a good fit for the entire 41st District.

She understands that some families need help. She understands that education, starting in early childhood, is a key to success in the future. She is serving on committees that will ensure that basic education is fully funded.

She and Eaves also diverge on Initiative 1240, which if approved would allow for charter schools, something Washington’s voters have already rejected three times. Eaves supports the initiative; Maxwell wants our tax dollars spent to ensure that ALL students succeed, not just a select few.

Maxwell clearly understands the importance of the aerospace industry to Renton and the larger Puget Sound region as an economic engine. And she clearly understands and articulates the need to train the next generation of Boeing workers.

And Maxwell knows what it’s like to run a small business and how best to help those small businesses succeed through training their workers and making a strong economy.

Maxwell is leader on a number of broad issues, including quality of life, that are important to Renton, to her entire district – and the state. We need that compassion and leadership in Olympia.