Susan Hutchison

#1 Supreme Court
The U.S. Senate has confirmed the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, a brilliant jurist highly regarded across the political spectrum. The unsuccessful strategy of Cantwell and the Senate Democrats -- delay, obstruct, and resist – damaged lives and the reputations of two American institutions: the Senate and the Supreme Court. It underscores the need for a larger Republican majority in the Senate. I WILL vote in support of Supreme Court nominees whose record shows they will uphold the Constitution, interpret it as written, and respect the separation of powers by not legislating from the bench.

#2 The Economy and Jobs
Unlike Senator Cantwell, I would have voted for the historic tax cuts that have boosted our economy by giving our working men and women real tax relief—not crumbs, as Nancy Pelosi says. The thriving economy (currently 3%+ growth) has created more jobs, record low unemployment for African-Americans and Hispanics, and increased wages, which will lead to stronger tax revenues. Politicians who say they care about the poor and working class are disingenuous when they vote against economic growth. Lifting people out of economic despair can only be achieved when jobs are plentiful.

I WILL always vote for bills that help grow jobs and the economy for all.

#3 Taxes and a Simpler Tax Code
Republicans believe that people know better than the government how to spend their hard-earned money. That’s why I’ve been on the front lines fighting against a state income tax on working families, the carbon tax on mobility, and the job destroying “head tax” in Seattle. I WILL always fight the left’s money grab in the form of unreasonable taxes. In addition, I want a fair tax code that simplifies filing for working families. Whether it’s one page, or even a postcard, the IRS could be significantly downsized, cutting the federal budget at the same time.

​I WILL vote for efforts to un-complicate the tax code and undo the huge IRS bureaucracy.

#4 Military Readiness
The most fundamental role of the federal government is to protect its citizens. As the daughter, wife and mom of military officers, I understand the burden our armed forces men and women shoulder to ensure our national security. Unlike Maria Cantwell, I would have voted for the bill to fix our depleted military and increase readiness. Also, the often-overlooked military families—spouses and children—have sacrificed so much for America. I learned first-hand from those stationed at Ft. Lewis that multiple deployments during the Iraq war have taken a tremendous toll on military families.

​I WILL make military families a high priority when I am your Senator.

#5 Immigration
U.S. Immigration is broken. Our laws are some of the weakest in the world and to make matters worse, the Democrats aggressively oppose enforcing them. Maria Cantwell supports Open Borders—a system that hurts workers, harms the environment, encourages human trafficking and drug smuggling and makes us vulnerable to terrorists.

I WILL support a humane immigration system that promotes legal entry and blocks illegal entry. I WILL support a border wall in every effective form: physical, electronic and law enforcement. As our country generously welcomes one million new legal immigrants every year, my hope is that all will fulfill their American Dream.

#6 Trade
Our state is dependent on exports of timber, fruit, airplanes and much more. Our sea, land and air ports are primary passageways for trade. I agree with economists that fair, free trade depends on an even playing field and that tariffs should be discouraged. It is time to renegotiate some of our trade deals which are decades old and frequently give unfair advantage to our trading partners. As your Senator, I WILL speak persuasively with the president about our state’s interests, something my #Resist opponent can’t do. Having at least one Senator in the majority party is important for our state to have a voice.

I WILL always make our state’s products and the workers that make them a top priority. ​

#7 2nd Amendment and Gun Control
My husband was an expert marksman in the Marine Corps. Our two sons have taken the gun safety course and gone bird hunting with their dad. Our family follows strict gun safety in the storage of firearms and their use. I’m not a marksman, but I stand by the Constitution’s 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms. While Americans are united in their outrage and frustration with mass shootings perpetrated by disturbed young men, in many cases authorities have been warned of the threats but didn’t bother to act.

We must more competently enforce our existing laws, keeping weapons from the dangerous and mentally ill and have the courage to tackle the mental health crisis that leads to these unthinkable acts. I WILL work to find true solutions to gun violence without penalizing the millions of law-abiding gun owners. ​

#8 Swift Solutions for Obamacare’s Woes
I grew up on socialized medicine. As a military daughter and then wife, I know government health care and I don’t recommend it. While the doctors were fine, the system was slow and uncaring. Just like today’s veterans waiting on the VA, we waited weeks to be seen. And forget keeping your doctor, you never had a personal doctor. This “single payer” or “universal” health care is what Cantwell advocates for all. The Democrats who passed Obamacare knew it was set up to fail-- in hopes the country could default to socialized medicine.

I WILL work to find market-based solutions to Obamacare’s confusion and sky-rocketing premiums, putting patients and families in control of their own healthcare. And I WILL fight against the inevitable mediocrity of a government-controlled medical system. In addition, I WILL be committed to improving VA medical services for our vets.

#9 Opioid Drug Crisis
Nowhere is the opioid drug crisis more pitiful than in Seattle where countless addicts live on the streets or in tents causing harm to themselves and others as filth, crime and civic decay increase. The misguided Seattle government has no plan to cure the problem but only to enable and tolerate more of the same.

​As your Senator, I WILL strengthen the federal role in this national crisis—tightening prescription rules, prosecuting illegal drug trafficking across borders, treating rather than enabling addiction, promoting recovery programs and re-evaluating Medicaid distribution of opioids.

#10 Agriculture
Our state’s farms feed the country and the world. Wheat, apples, hops, grapes, berries, cherries, pears, potatoes and lentils (just to name a few) are leading agricultural products that spawn other industries such as cardboard containers, trucking, and shipping. Our farmers need federal policies that help them succeed, such as responsive guest worker immigration policies and fair trade agreements (See Reason #6). I’m honored to receive an early endorsement from the 47,000-member Washington Farm Bureau.

​I WILL always fight for our farmers by protecting property and water rights from burdensome Federal regulations.

#11 Forestry and Fishing
Forestry and fishing helped build our state, and they remain vital as a source of family wage jobs. The federal mismanagement of federal forests has destroyed jobs and economic growth, allowed devastating forest fires and harmed wildlife habitat. Federal mismanagement has also played a major role in our state’s depleted salmon stock. Maria Cantwell is too beholden to Seattle extremists (who oppose science-based natural resource management) to work for real solutions.

I WILL defend our fish and forests, timber jobs and fishing fleet. I WILL work to restore salmon runs. I WILL support modern and effective forest management practices for federal lands.

#12 Housing Affordability
Escalating housing prices and lack of affordability are damaging the quality of life for those in big cities and small towns alike. The shortage of housing limits economic growth and employment, has direct impact on homelessness, and creates pollution as commuters live farther from their workplace. We need more housing supply to address the demand. Whether renting or owning, 40% of the cost of new housing is due to red tape and impact fees. The federal government can provide incentives for housing “opportunity zones” that focus lower cost housing density around transit hubs by cutting red tape and permit times.

I WILL support housing affordability as a priority in our state and nationwide.

#13 21st Century Education for our Children
Education is a justice issue because a good education that prepares students for a working future is the surest way out of poverty and up the economic ladder. Both my kids attended Seattle public schools. I volunteered in their classrooms and raised money for computers and other necessary learning tools. We loved our teachers. Governor Locke appointed me to a committee of his A+ Commission on Education. I have served for many years on the Seattle Community Colleges advisory board and was an adjunct professor at SPU. My first-hand experiences at every level are a tremendous asset in understanding access to a 21st century education.

​I WILL work with courageous policy-makers to cause systemic changes that emphasize learning and competency. And I WILL work to stem the skyrocketing costs of college education.

#14 Israel and the Middle East
A strong U.S. relationship with our faithful ally in the Middle East is essential for peace in the region. I support moving the U.S. Embassy to Israel’s capital in Jerusalem. I’m in favor of a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue, but negotiations cannot be fruitful if some factions remain committed to the destruction of Israel. Conflict in the Middle East is as old as time, and a wise U.S. strategy will support our friends’ military capabilities and encourage strong economic growth and opportunity for all in the region.

#15 Debt
The growing national debt is unsustainable for America’s future. Just as individuals avoid unnecessary debt because it is such a burden on their personal lives, our national debt will be a profound burden to our children and our grandchildren as more of their taxes must pay for interest on the debt.

I WILL work to get the country on a solid path to reduce annual deficits (which grow the debt) and balance the budget. Economic growth is the engine for debt reduction (see Reason #2).

#16 Women and Workplace Equity
While Maria Cantwell talks about equal rights for women, I’ve actually fought for them. At the start of my career, I went on strike with my colleagues and walked a picket line for fair pay for women in order to end the injustice in our workplace where every woman was paid less than every man, no matter their job. At the end of my TV career, I fought for and won a settlement from a major corporation ensuring they would follow the law and treat women fairly.

​There is no place for #MeToo incidents in the workplace, though I’ve seen plenty. I understand the harsh and sometimes subtle ways women are kept from reaching their potential and I WILL always support economic opportunities for women.

#17 Infrastructure and Traffic
Our crumbling bridges and highways are in constant need of repair. I WILL bring federal infrastructure dollars home for construction improvements that meet the needs of 21st century transportation innovations that are rapidly “coming down the pike.” Why shouldn’t a high-tech state like Washington be one of the first to enable the use of fully electric clean vehicles, safe Uber-type driverless vans and much more efficient commuter patterns? In the meantime, our citizens and businesses will need our federal highways (I-5, I-90, I-405, I-82) to help them get where they need to go.

I WILL get funding to help alleviate traffic congestion on our highways.

#18 Term Limits
Most Americans express approval for term limits on elected officials. The beauty of democracy is that we are governed by citizen representatives. From across America, they bring their diverse experiences to the law-making Congress as “public servants”, and after a number of years, should return to their states.

​But the current culture in Washington, D.C. is corrupted by lobbyists and special interests. Maria Cantwell has been a politician for 25 years. She is no longer a servant to the public, but to the influences of the D.C. swamp. It’s time to exert term limits on Cantwell. But don’t take my word for it, take hers, when 18 years ago she went after the incumbent for this Senate seat saying: “It’s time for a change. The issue is longevity in office.” I agree that Cantwell should not have a 4th term. ^[7]