Carson needles Russell over immigration stance

This week Washougal city councilman Jon Russell succeeded in winning city council support for a resolution endorsing Arizona’s tough new immigration law. The vote was 5-2.

That didn’t sit well with Richard Carson, an independent candidate for the same 18th Legislative District seat Russell is seeking.

“It is a sad day when a state legislative candidate uses his political office to get votes,” Carson said in a statement. He noted that the resolution specifically “encouraged state representatives in the 15th and 18th legislative districts . . . to sponsor and enact immigration law similar to law in Arizona.”

“The problem is that Jon Russell is running for the legislative office in the 18th District,” Carson said. “So he used his position as a Washougal city councilor to attempt to get votes for a state legislative office. So much for integrity! What else would Jon do to get elected?”

At the council meeting, Russell, who sponsored the resolution, argued that illegal immigration affects even taxpayers in small cities like Washougal by putting a strain on services such as public safety, health care and education.

Carson said he supports Initiative 1043, the so-called “Respect for Law Initiative,” which will require E-verify enrollment by every public and private employer in Washington State.

“Securing our borders is the job of the federal government,” Carson said. “Arizona knows this . . . I would suggest that Jon Russell needs to do more than propose self-serving city resolutions. I would suggest he come up with an original Washington solution. After all, this is the state he wishes to represent.”

— Kathie Durbin