Time is right for Dems in 14th, Ybarra believes

It’s been 26 years since a Democrat won this seat, but Vickie Ybarra believes she’s ready to break that streak.

She is counting on voters newly energized by the national political scene to show up in numbers they haven’t previously.

And, already well known as president of the Yakima school board, she’s banking on her record of service to convince middle-of-the-political-road voters to go with a Democrat this election.

“This is a really an exciting time for moderates of all stripes,” Ybarra said. “There are a lot of people in the Yakima Valley who are moderate who vote for the person, not the party.”

She has taken decidedly moderate stances on several issues, including the funding of the paid family leave bill passed earlier this year by the Legislature. Lawmakers put off until next year deciding how to pay for the program. But Ybarra said she does not want to fund the Democrat-backed program “until the economy shows signs of recovery.”

“And I will not support an additional tax on business to fund it,” Ybarra said.

Ybarra is a 47-year-old registered nurse who serves as director of planning and development for the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic. She also holds a spot on the governor-appointed state Interagency Council on Health Disparities. Ybarra said her top priorities are increasing access to health care and improving student achievement. Economic development will come as the natural result of successes there, she said.

“At its core, a strong education system is an economic development strategy,” Ybarra said.

She is also making a practical appeal to voters, pointing out that electing a Democrat will give the 14th District representation in both parties’ caucuses. That will give the Yakima Valley a “seat at the table” when the majority party is crafting law, she said.

“We need more attention and focus in Olympia on the Yakima Valley,” she said.

Ybarra earned nursing and public health degrees from the University of Washington. She and her husband, Terry Lamberte, have 16- and 9-year-old sons.

• On the Web: www.vickieybarra.com