MATTAWA — Incumbent Mark Klicker, R-Walla Walla, is being challenged for his seat in the Washington House of Representatives by Democratic candidate Kyle Palmer. Both men were asked the same set of questions and given the same word limit. 

What prompted you to run? 

Klicker: I am born and raised in the 16th district and believe that there is still so much I can do to better my community. Over my 6 years I have been part of a team that has brought tens of millions of dollars for support services and infrastructure. I know that I can continue to advocate for my community if re-elected. 

Palmer: I got into this race because I love this part of Washington, and I didn’t think this seat should go uncontested. I’m a third-generation Richland resident, a small business owner, a husband and a dad. I’ve spent years involved in local government and community organizations, so I’ve seen how decisions made by government can either help people or make their lives harder. 

I’m also not someone who thinks one political party has all the answers. I don’t. We have real problems in front of us, and I think we need more people willing to ask what actually works instead of starting with which team proposed it. 

That’s really why I’m running. I care about this place; I think voters deserve a choice, and I think I could be useful. 

For the past few years, Washington has experienced budget shortfalls. Budgeting is the Legislature's responsibility. What does the Legislature need to do to address current shortfalls and ensure they don't happen in the future? It's a bipartisan problem, so how would you work with other legislators to address shortfalls? 

Palmer: Washington can’t keep answering every budget problem by spending more or taxing more. We need to be much better about asking some basic questions: Does this program work? Are we getting what we’re paying for? Is there a cheaper or better way to do it? 

At the same time, I don’t think we can just cut our way to prosperity. We need to grow. Build more housing. Produce more energy. Make it easier to start and expand businesses. Build infrastructure that lets communities grow instead of constantly playing catch-up. 

For me, the bipartisan part is pretty simple. Start with the problem, not the party. What are we trying to accomplish? What does it cost? Is it working? If somebody on the other side has a better idea, use it. 

I think taxpayers should expect us to get more bang for the buck. 

Klicker: This has been a serious situation that has complicated components. As a state, we need to cut our spending of unneeded programs. For many years we have had one party rule with a huge majority. This makes it difficult to have real discussions about what our government should prioritize, or to provide input. Over my 6 years, I have always worked across the aisle for the 16th district and will continue to work with the party in power to solve our budget issues. 

What are three of the top issues you see facing the 16th District? 

Klicker: In the 16th district, energy will always be a top priority because we can build the infrastructure in eastern Washington to solve our energy issues. We have the resources and businesses in our area that can provide real energy solutions for our state. I will work on addressing and completing transportation projects in the area such as Highway 12 and State Route 24. I love Washington State and we need to make our state affordable for families and businesses to thrive. I will work across the aisle to create policies that will lower taxes and the cost of living and doing business in Washington State. 

Palmer: Housing and affordability are probably number one. We simply need more housing, especially starter homes and attainable options for working families. We need to make it easier to build and make sure infrastructure keeps up. 

Energy is another huge one. This district should be leading on reliable, affordable power, especially advanced nuclear. We have the history, workforce and expertise to be part of building the next generation of energy here. 

And I’m increasingly concerned about data centers and AI infrastructure. These projects can require enormous amounts of electricity and infrastructure, and Washington still offers qualifying data centers significant sales and use tax exemptions.  

I’m not convinced we should automatically call that economic development. If we’re giving up tax revenue and committing major amounts of local resources, I want to know what the people who already live here are actually getting back. 

What are your ideas for addressing – not necessarily solving, but doing what's feasible to alleviate – the issues you identified? 

Palmer: On housing, make it easier to build. Faster permitting. Fewer unnecessary barriers to smaller homes and starter homes. And make sure roads, water and sewer aren’t an afterthought. 

On energy, I want us building more reliable power here, especially advanced nuclear. If we are going to have massive new demand for electricity, we need to be equally serious about producing more of it. 

Data centers are where I think we need to pump the brakes and ask harder questions. Grant PUD has already had to put limits on data-center load growth because rapid demand was creating concerns about grid reliability.  

Who is paying for the new infrastructure? How much water and power are we committing? How many permanent jobs are actually being created? And why are taxpayers subsidizing these projects if the return to the community isn’t there?

I’m not against growth. But growth has to pencil out for the people who live here. 

Klicker: I will continue to serve on the Environment/Energy Committee as assisting ranking member. I am also on the Transportation Committee and I am ranking member on Local Government. All these leadership roles will enable me to actively work with other elected officials, local officials and businesses to find solutions in a bi-partisan manner. 

If you're elected, what are some issues that you want to work on, other than the ones already discussed?  

Klicker: I value my leadership and committee roles that allow me to share issues and provide real solutions. I know the importance of working with both partes to make our state a place where families and business can thrive. I will continue to reduce the red tape and permitting process for building and development, provide legislation that can reduce the tax burden on families and provide energy solutions. 

Palmer: I’d like to find the people in Olympia who are there to actually fix things. 

I don’t really care whether the good idea came from a Democrat or a Republican. If it works, let’s work on it. 

Politics has gotten way too focused on the scoreboard. Did our team win? Did their team lose? Meanwhile, the same problems people deal with every day are still sitting there. 

I didn’t spend my life planning to become a politician. I own a small business. I’m a husband and a dad. I’m not looking at the Legislature as the next rung on a ladder or as a nice retirement plan. 

If I get there, I want to find people who are serious, build coalitions where we can, solve some problems and be useful. That’s pretty much it.