washington business
In Their Words
Washington Lieutenant Gov. Brad Owen is retiring at the end of the year after many
years of service as an elected official. Owen, first elected to the office in 1996, is only
the 15th person to serve as lieutenant governor in the state’s history. His public
service dates to 1976, when he served as Shelton finance commissioner. The same
year, Owen was sworn in as state representative, a position he held until he was
elected to the Senate in 1983. He is the longest serving lieutenant governor in the
nation. Washington Business Staff Writer Bobbi Cussins sat down with him to reflect
on his career in public service, his passion for music and kids, and thoughts on what
he hopes the next lieutenant governor carries forward from his time in the office.
You’ve spent 40 years in elected office. How does it feel to be the
longest serving lieutenant governor?
It depends on what you’re looking at. I’m the longest serving in the nation
today and only second, when I finish my term, longest in state history. John
Cherberg served longer than me and then there was a fellow who was the same
as me and he served as the secretary of state. When you narrow it down, there
Lieutenant Gov. Brad Owen
are only a few lieutenant governors that run independently. And, so, when you
run with the governor, you’re out when the governor is out. I’m not. But, it’s
really nothing if you’re not number one. And it’s nothing even then, so it’s interesting. It strikes a lot of conversation.
In your farewell speech in the Senate, you stressed to lawmakers to always look at the human beings behind
policies. Why was it important for you to make that point?
It’s easy over here to get caught up in numbers rather than what you’re here for and that’s real-people issues. When you’re
dealing with somebody, it’s incredibly important to look at the total story not just the general “I can’t do this because the law
says this or whatever.” Well, then let’s get into it a little deeper. Let’s look and see what the real issue is here. It’s a little harder,
but more beneficial to find reasons to do something, to help somebody.
In the same speech, you urged lawmakers to look at each other not in terms of Republican or Democrat, but
rather as individuals. How important is this, particularly in today’s divided government?
The most insane thing that happens in America and the biggest impediment to good government is partisan politics. There’s no
question in my mind. I can tell you, from my 40 years, that issues would have been resolved significantly quicker and with less
rancor if there was no such thing as partisan politics. You have a small minority of the body dictating what happens because
they might be a majority. That is lousy, horrid government. I remember when Rodney Tom decided he was going to go with
the Republicans. His rhetoric to me was, “I’m doing this because I want to see the true majority have their way.” As far as the
majority having their way, if you truly want the majority to have their way, then why did you put an inordinate majority of
members on the Republican side on the Ways and Means and Rules committees? If you truly wanted a true democracy, where
the majority has their way, you would never stack the Rules Committee. I say this publicly: partisan politics is the worst thing
that ever happened to good government.
Are we seeing some of the same gridlock in this Washington as in Congress, with many of the big issues in
recent years going to the ballot because lawmakers can’t reach agreement?
Like it, or dislike it, if it’s a movement out there, they should talk about it. Is there a majority here to support it? I don’t know, but if
there is, so be it. And, if not, you lost. It’s as simple as that. It’s the will of the people. This is supposed to be the will of the people.
If the will of the people is all the Republicans and half the Democrats, then that’s what it should be. Or vice versa. But it’s not and
why is that? It’s because they are so afraid of losing the majority. But I have to be fair. There’s a lot of pressure on these people but
you have to stand up to it. That’s why you’re here.
18 association of washington business