State Rep. Charles Ross, R-Naches, likes being seen as a law-and-justice legislator.

The Naches Repub-lican, who kicked off his re-election campaign Thursday morning outside the Yaki-
ma police station, gained the reputation this year by successfully pushing for laws that provide stiffer penalties for gang crimes and eluding police. The gang bill also includes the formation of a statewide gang member database and makes available grants for prevention programs.

"The most important responsibility of govern-ment is to keep its citizens safe," Ross told about 20 supporters gathered outside the police station.

While acknowledging there are other important issues for the state to deal with, Ross said he made public safety a priority because it was the top priority of his community. Also, as a ranking minor-
ity member of the House Public Safety and Emer-gency Preparedness Committee, he was in a position to work on those issues.

He plans to continue doing so if re-elected.

"I plan to immediately file the parts of the gang bill that were taken off," Ross said Thursday.

The bill, which he co-sponsored with Rep. Chris Hurst, D-Enumclaw, was amended late in the session to remove funding for inter-vention programs and a portion that would have allowed cities to file civil injunctions against gangs and gang members.

He and Hurst were co-
chairmen last year of a task
force that developed the legislation. That task force
was created in a bill spon-sored by former state Sen. Jim Clements, R-Selah. Ross said he also wants to sit on the task force that will be created to monitor the bill's effectiveness.

Yakima City Councilman Norm Johnson, who attend-ed the announcement, said Ross has done a "stellar job" from the city's perspective.

"Charles has really taken the lead on these problems -- gang problems," Johnson said. "And I think the cooperation he has built with Sen. (Curtis) King gives a great balance."

King, Ross' 14th District colleague in the Senate, had similarly high praise for Ross. If Republicans regain a majority in the House, some believe Ross would have a shot at becoming speaker of the House, King said.

A 36-year-old funeral director first elected in 2006, Ross said he plans to campaign even if he doesn't face opposition.

The most recent update from the state Public Disclosure Commission shows Ross has raised just over $17,000, all before the end of 2007. Donations are listed from local individuals as well as out-of-town associations, companies and political action committees.

* Pat Muir can be reached at 577-7693 or pmuir@yakimaherald.com.