Containing parts of Kirkland, Redmond, Woodinville, and points east, the 45th Legislative District is hardly a hotbed of radicalism. But the two candidates for the district’s statehouse seat share a position well out of the political mainstream: They both advocate wholesale changes to the War on Drugs.In his time away from the capital, incumbent State Rep. Roger Goodmanheads the King County Bar Association’s Drug Policy Reform Project,where he works on moving drug policy’s focus from crime-and-punishmentto public health. His challenger, Toby Nixon, who held the seat from2002 to 2006 before leaving to run for State Senate (he lost his bid foran open seat to Eric Oemig) has spoken out in defense of Washington’smedical marijuana law and pushed a bill requiring performance audits ofdrug enforcement policies.If a moderate Eastside district has voted to elect both thesecandidates, is the general public ready for wholesale drug policyreform? “I think people are receptive,” says Nixon, “if you can get themto settle down and have a conversation. Too often it’s fear and hysteriadriving our policies.” Noting that “some have observed that it’sunfortunate that we’re running against each other,” Nixon adds that he’snot sure he and Goodman have any disagreements on drug policy reform.But he wishes Goodman had followed his lead and pushed more drug policyreform bills as a legislator. “It’s unfortunate that the houseleadership has not allowed him to pursue an important issue.”However, Goodman sees the legislator’s role in drug policy reformdifferently. Noting that Washington is already more progressive thanmost states when it comes to drugs, he says further progress must bepreceded by “cultural change,” before adding, “I work on that in myother job [at the KCBA], and by educating my colleagues. But I waselected to represent my district. I’m not a grenade thrower.”Goodman points to his work on public safety and education issues as thestuff he was elected to do. He recently received the National HighwayTraffic Safety Administration’s “Safety Champions Award” for hisdrunk-driving prevention ignition interlock bill, and also co-sponsoredbills to create Washington’s Head Start program and allow for theexpansion of Children’s Hospital. Nevertheless, as Vice Chair of theJudiciary Committee, Goodman is in line to replace retiring ChairPatricia Lantz (D- Gig Harbor), if he wins in November. Should he getthe chairmanship, Goodman hopes to advocate for some “innovativetreatment practices in drug courts,” such as applying themethadone/heroin model to other drugs in an attempt to more effectivelytransition chronic addicts into treatment.”With a $3 billion deficit, we don’t want to cut health care oreducation, but what about Corrections?” he reasons. “Maybe we shouldn’tbe locking people up for a health problem.”