The recent article in the Federal Way Mirror regarding Mr. Dovey’s legal issues has made me feel very troubled. Continued reading of various lawsuits and delinquent payments was eye opening.

Mr. Dovey’s responses to these issues being raised made me question his understanding of what it is to be our representative in Olympia. You cannot owe money for months and months and pay up when you finally get caught.

We need a representative who is willing to make tough decisions regarding budgeting, not one who deals with it when it becomes the elephant in the room. The Legislature writes and passes our state’s budget every two years.

Legislators are required to balance the budget and to prioritize our state’s needs and values on issues as serious as education funding, transportation and infrastructure, and a safety net for children, seniors and the underserved. Mr. Dovey has shown he cannot be counted on to keep his own finances in order.

I can’t afford to send him to Olympia. If elected what other truths would come out and cause embarrassment? His campaign materials claim he has never failed his financial responsibilities. So why has there been so many court papers filed to claim he did, from employees to businesses to the State Department of Labor and Industry, as well as property taxes? He touts his experience with large budgets as to why we should elect him.

This feels extremely hypocritical. I will not vote for someone who feels he is better than the rest of us. We deserve more respect than that.

Jodi Riker, Auburn