To the editor:

Rep. Sherry Appleton (D) is in the State House of Representatives for our district. She is our voice in Olympia.

She is up for re-election on Nov. 6 against Becky Erickson, an independent. It is imperative that we vote for Appleton because — as well as her representing Progressive values — if we lose her seat, we lose a Democrat’s seat: we are in danger of losing the majority.

Having the majority in the House means that the head of each committee in the House will be a Democrat, and therefore Democrats decide what comes up for the vote. Without Democrats holding the majority, any legislation can stay in committee until it dies unless the Republican chair of the committee decides to take it to the floor. The majority party totally holds the reins.

While we have the majority, we can get Progressive legislation passed to enable progress — and protect us from the unwieldy power of the White House, Congress and Judiciary in Washington, DC by having more members to vote for state legislation in addition to controlling the agenda.

Our state House of Representatives currently has 50 Democrats and 48 Republicans.

One example of our state legislature protecting us from the powers from DC was when the Trump administration chose to take away net neutrality federally in June 2018. Washington state was the first in the country to grant Washington state net neutrality: allowing people, schools and libraries in rural areas to access fast and impartial internet service.

Vote Appleton!

HOLLY BREWER

Bainbridge Island