A writer recently characterized Rodrigo Yanez, a candidate for 47th District Legislature, as “new to the area”. The implication possibly being he lacked the experience to be our next legislator. Mr. Yanez has lived in the 47th district for nearly 20 years, before Covington was incorporated. He has been a small business owner for that entire time bringing jobs and revenue to the Washington economy.

Raised in Chile with a degree in sales and marketing, Rodrigo was transferred to Canada by his American employer. The Province of Saskatchewan then hired him as their Director of Trade. In that position he personally negotiated International contracts with Mikhail Gorbachev, François Mitterrand and Augusto Pinochet among many other world leaders. He significantly increased the exports, negotiated international business investment and attracted foreign manufacturing into the province. Rodrigo gained experience balancing large budgets and has written both ends of government contracts.

Mr. Yanez moved to Washington and became a U.S. citizen by choice to pursue the American Dream. Rodrigo works with agricultural exports, the largest economic engine in our state. In this capacity he helps bring tens of millions of dollars annually to our country and state that have benefited farmers, transportation, shipping and many related industries. These all result in tax revenue. Unlike most members of our legislature, Mr. Yanez, who speaks five languages, is a world-class candidate. Something I think we need badly in these challenging economic times.

Orin Wells

Kent