CLYDE SHAVERS: GOP questions Shavers seating on panel handling veterans issues (EVERETT HERALD)

Jerry Cornfield reports from the Capital for the Everett Herald. The Herald published the story on Wed., Jan. 18; it was picked up by the Whidbey News-Times and South Whidbey Record in their Sat., Jan. 21, 2023 editions.

A decision to seat Democratic Rep. Clyde Shavers on a committee handling veterans issues after he exaggerated about his military service in last fall’s campaign isn’t sitting well with Republicans.

They Said It

House Minority Leader J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, told reporters Tuesday “it is very serious” but stopped short of urging his removal from the House Innovation, Community and Economic Development, and Veterans Committee.

Wilcox did say that when Democrats have raised ethical concerns about GOP members’ committee appointments in the past, “we addressed it. We don’t go putting them on the very committees (whose stakeholders) they offended.”

“I am using my experience and background to help veterans,” [Shavers] said [referring to the bills he has introduced this session].

“He’s a veteran. That has to be respected. The years he served cannot be denied or taken away,” said Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, D-Mukilteo, chair of the House Democratic Caucus. “He brings a certain knowledge that cannot be ignored.”

House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, D-West Seattle, told reporters Tuesday that Shavers “was insufficiently clear in how he described his service record at times on the campaign trail. I think he’s learned from that experience.”

With a large number of veterans in the 10th District, “it’s important that they have his experience and his advocacy for them and that community,” he said.

Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro Woolley, a Naval Academy graduate and retired U.S. Navy Commander, will be watching closely. Given the circumstances of the election, Shavers seemed a poor choice for that panel, Wagoner said.

“I’m getting emails from veterans saying, ‘I don’t want him to represent me,’” he said.