PASCO, Wash. — Pasco City Council members hear lots of complaints, but Mayor Pete Serrano said one changed his life.
”The owner of Shakey’s (Pizza) called me early in the pandemic and said, ‘Hey, Liquor Cannabis Board is threatening my liquor license because I'm not forcing patrons to wear a mask,” said Serrano. “I laughed at him … I was like, come on … you got to be joking me?”
Serrano said the state was overreaching. He ended up suing Gov. Jay Inslee, and eventually the federal government, over the constitutionality of pandemic-era restrictions and mandates. He founded the “Silent Majority Foundation,” a nonprofit that has challenged Washington state gun laws.
In November he hopes to be elected Washington’s next attorney general.
Serrano said that initial call from the business owner inspired him to get into statewide politics.
“It's amazing what pizza salad and video games can do to a father,” said Serrano, a married father of three who moved to Pasco in 2015.
He’s served on the Pasco city council since 2018. Fellow council members elected him mayor earlier this year.
Serrano said he is proud about city reducing it’s homeless population and becoming one of the nation’s fastest growing cities.
The Republican will face-off against Democrat Nick Brown, a former U.S. attorney, in the November general election.
”I think our system is broken,” said Serrano. “It's unquestionably broken, and I don't foresee my opponent fixing it.”
Serrano said he would back legislation to charge fentanyl dealers with felonies, and increase penalties for adults who allow their children to gain access to illegal drugs.
"I think we need someone who's really looking out for the interest of people Washington. We need someone who's going to focus on the constitutional foundations of the state," said Serrano.
While judges dismissed most of Serrano’s lawsuits, a Cowlitz County judge agreed with Serrano that the state’s ban on magazines that hold more than ten rounds was unconstitutional.
The state has appealed that ruling, and it’s awaiting a hearing and decision from the Washington state Supreme Court.
If that hearing happens after Serrano is elected, he said he would recuse himself from the case.