DEFENDING NEEDLE PROGRAM, YOUNG CANDIDATES HOPE TO UNSEAT RASMUSSEN

Both Democrats launching campaigns for Cowlitz County commissioner
graduated from Longview high schools in 1997 and both say incumbent
Republican Jeff Rasmussen erred in opposing the county's
needle-exchange program.

"Jeff was way off the mark," Axel Swanson said.

"I like the way the needle-exchange program is working right now,"
Chuck Wallace said.

Swanson, 26, and Wallace, 27, have filed as candidates with the
Public Disclosure Commission against Rasmussen, who announced last
week he will seek a third 4-year term as 3rd District commissioner.

In separate interviews Thursday, Swanson and Wallace said they
supported a six-year-old county program that allows drug addicts to
swap used needles for clean ones.

Rasmussen, 38, sought to end the program or at least charge addicts
for the needles.

Wallace, a former Army police officer, said he talked with county
health officials and came away thinking the program was going in the
right direction. Swanson, a former Marine reservist and recent law
school graduate, said the program prevents disease and puts addicts
in touch with health officials who can get them into treatment.

A $70,000 state grant funds the program. Rasmussen said Tuesday the
money would be better spent on convincing students to never try illegal drugs

He likened giving addicts clean needles to repeatedly pulling
swimmers from dangerous waters, but never keeping them out of the
water. So far, Rasmussen has failed to sway a second commissioner to
support his view.

"I've made my position very clear," he said. "Until there's a change
from one of the other two commissioners, I don't plan to propose any
more changes."

Swanson was student body president at R.A. Long High School. He
graduated from Lower Columbia College, Gonzaga University in Spokane
and, last month, from a law school in Vermont. He also served in the
Marine reserves for six years.

Swanson said he's studying for the bar exam, though he said he would
prefer a career in politics or teaching.

While in high school, Swanson shared the stage with President Clinton
during a campaign stop in Longview in 1996. Clinton met the teenager
and remarked, "Today, he looks a lot more like a future president
than I did" as a teen.

Swanson admits to being politically ambitious, and young.

"I absolutely expect to get asked about (my age). Twenty-six is a
little young, but in the last 10 years, I've done everything to get
myself ready for this," said Swanson, who turns 27 next month.

"We can stand to lose a little experience on the commission and gain
a little in potential and fresh ideas." Wallace joined the Army
shortly after graduating from Mark Morris High School. He served as a
customs investigator while stationed in Germany. His duties included
preventing military personnel and civilian contractors from smuggling
contraband out of Iraq.

Honorably discharged in March 2005, Wallace said he attended Clark
College and worked at Corwin Beverage in Ridgefield, Wash., before
becoming a meter reader in January for a company that contracts with
the Cowlitz PUD.

Wallace said he was always interested in law enforcement, but has
shifted his thoughts to public office.

"When I was in law enforcement, I really had a good feeling about the
job I was doing," he said. "But I realized I could only have so much
impact on a community from a patrol car."

Wallace named his campaign committee the Positive Change Committee. A
newcomer to politics, Wallace is still working to elaborate on that
theme. "I'm confident I can effect positive change."

County commissioners currently receive an annual salary of $67,212.

Candidates must file with the county Auditor's Office in late July to
secure a spot in the September primary.

Although commissioners are elected countywide in the general
election, the primary will be limited to voters in the 3rd District.
The district includes West Longview, Castle Rock, Toutle, Silver Lake
and Ryderwood.