Candidate Dunn brings message GOP finds difficult to hear

This editorial published on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012

Reagan Dunn is a Republican trueblood. His first name comes directly from the president whose legacy still dominates the GOP almost a quarter-century after he left office. His mother, the late Jennifer Dunn, was a state party chair in the 1980s and in the 1990s represented the eastern Seattle suburbs as 8th District congresswoman.

Dunn, a King County councilman, would seem the natural party nominee in his bid to succeed fellow Republican Rob McKenna as state attorney general. But when he voted with the 8-1 majority on a recent King County Council resolution supporting same-sex marriage, not even his lineage could stem a revolt by some in his party.

He immediately drew a primary election opponent for attorney general, Stephen Pidgeon of Everett, who cited the issue as the reason for his campaign. As part of his statewide effort, Dunn was scheduled to make the rounds of Lincoln Day dinners before county party organizations next month. But after the gay-marriage vote, Republicans in Franklin and Whatcom counties rescinded their invitations.

Fortunately, Yakima County Republicans didn't follow suit, and Dunn is still on to speak here Feb. 24. "We kind of like to hear all sides of everything," said Max Golladay, chairman of the Yakima County Republican Party's Central Committee. To be sure, many local Republicans themselves may want to speak -- not so much be spoken to -- on what they view as Dunn's apostasy on same-sex marriage. Witness the following:

* The state party platform clearly defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

* When the state domestic-partners law appeared on the ballot in 2009, Yakima County went 65 percent against it even as statewide voters approved it.

* The vote by 14th District Rep. Norm Johnson in favor of domestic partners almost cost him his seat in 2010. Challenger Michele Strobel, a political novice who campaigned heavily against his domestic-partners vote, pushed Johnson to the limit before the incumbent won with 52 percent of the vote. Both are Republicans.

Needless to say, gay pride won't be on display at a Republican gathering in Yakima County. But Dunn bears a message that may prove instructive to Republicans on a couple of levels.

One is philosophical and, perhaps, personal. Republicans need to hear from one of their own why he is parting from party orthodoxy and why he believes his view holds merit. Dunn told The Seattle Times that having gay and lesbian friends has influenced his beliefs.

The other is strategic. Opposition to gay marriage resonates in conservative pockets of the state like Yakima County. But in the populous Puget Sound region -- especially in the suburbs that decide statewide elections -- the issue burns with much less heat.

Dunn cites a change in public attitudes; polling statewide and nationwide has noted a consistent increase of those in favor of same-sex marriage over the past few years. The trend is stronger among those under age 50 and especially under age 35, the voters of the future.

The respected Washington Poll, conducted by the University of Washington, last fall asked state residents how they would vote should the Legislature approve gay marriage and should the issue find its way to the ballot. The poll said 47 percent were strongly in favor of voting yes, with another 8 percent leaning in favor. In contrast, 31 percent were strongly against and 7 percent leaning against. Pollsters will tell you that the 16 percent differential between those strongly in favor versus those strongly opposed bodes well for the prospect of the voters approving same-sex marriage.

Dunn has won plaudits for his courage in taking this stand, and in his willingness to carry the message to places where people might not want to hear it. Agree or disagree with him, he deserves those plaudits, as do Yakima County Republicans for being willing to hear what he has to say.

* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Sharon J. Prill, Bob Crider, Frank Purdy and Karen Troianello.