OLYMPIA — Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, said his no vote last week on a controversial gay rights bill was consistent with his convictions and those of his constituents, who voted 2-1 against a similar citizens’ initiative in 1997.
HB 1515 would prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation, adding that to the list that already includes race, sex, religion, national origin and other categories.
Hargrove, along with Reps. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, and Jim Buck, R-Joyce, represent the 24th District, which includes Clallam and Jefferson counties and part of Grays Harbor County.
Hargrove and Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, sided with Senate Republicans on a 25-24 vote to send the bill back to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Hargrove also sits on that committee and said he will side with Republicans to prevent the bill from returning to the Senate floor for a vote.
“I was keeping my word over 20 years on that issue. I would have been breaking my word to those I’ve talked to,” he said.
“I don’t see how I could take another position. If people are unhappy with that, then their solution is at ballot box.”