Friday at 5 p.m. was the official deadline for candidates to file for office, and the deadline brought a few surprises. In the last hours, Kirk Pearson picked up two opponents, and both representatives Rick Larsen and Jay Inslee learned they will face opponents this year as well; Larsen will face two of them in a primary race.
Here are the candidates who have filed for local office, including the information they chose to share about themselves.
U.S. House of Representatives, District 1
The 1st Congressional District includes northern Kitsap County, including Pouslbo and Kingston, northern King County including Shoreline, Kenmore, Kirkland and part of Redmond, and south Snohmish County including Edmonds, Mukilteo, Bothell and the western half of Monroe. The district is now represented by Jay Inslee, (D-Shoreline).
Larry Ishmael
Ishmael’s statement:
The U.S. Congress is broken. Partisan politics have been the order of the day for too long now. It is time for meaningful change, and staying with the same old politicians is not going to get us the much needed change we deserve.
I am the agent for that change because I am not a Washington, D.C. insider. My background is as a community leader, a volunteer, a father and husband as well as a successful businessman. My experience has seen me travel to six continents and over 125 countries. I have lived on four continents and speak three languages fluently. I have served the environmental sector where I cleaned up two of the three largest cities in the world.
My experience as the president of the board for one of the largest and most successful school districts in the state have given me understanding of the importance of a strong education policy as well as an entrée into political life. My work with multiple foreign heads of state and parliaments round out the skill set that I possess, experience that will work for you in the 111th Congress.
Vote for Larry Ishmael for U.S. Congress District 1.
Jay Inslee
(Jay Inslee did not submit a photo)
Inslee’s statement:
We are at the dawn of a new era in this country, one in which we stop living in fear and start again living our dreams.
We can work to bring this country together, heal political divides and find bipartisan solutions to expand healthcare, reduce class sizes and grow the economy.
We can harness American ingenuity to tackle our dependency on oil and the threat of global warming, while creating millions of green-collar jobs. To that end I’ve introduced the New Apollo Energy Act to do for energy what JFK’s original Apollo Project did for space.
Together, we can end the war in Iraq and regain America's standing in the world community. I stand by my vote against authorizing the Iraq War and will continue efforts to hasten its conclusion. It’s time to stop borrowing money from China to spend in Iraq, while leaving our children to foot the bill.
Coming from a family of veterans, I believe we have a moral responsibility to those who fight to keep America safe. I’ve worked to improve health care for veterans and boost pay for military personnel.
America is the greatest country on earth, and we are blessed to live in one of its most beautiful places. As a boy, my parents took me along as they helped restore alpine meadows on Mount Rainier. They taught me to respect the environment, and since I’ve been in Congress, I’ve fought to protect our clean air, clean water, and forests.
In my time I’ve driven bulldozers, cement trucks, and dump trucks. I’ve been a commercial painter and laborer. I always keep in mind the impact policies have on working families.
It is an honor to represent you in Congress.
U.S. House of Representatives, District 2
The 2nd Congressional District includes Whatcom, Island, San Juan, Skagit and Snohomish counties as well as part of the part of King County that is serve by U.S. Highway 2. The district is now represented by Democrat Rick Larsen.
Glen Johnson
Johnson’s statement:
I’ve decided to once again run for this congressional seat. As an independent, I ran for this seat in 2000. Many of the issues I promoted are food security, dealing with our enemies abroad, transportation infrastructure, education reform, all became front line issues 10 months after the election on that fateful 9/11.
I considered running again in 2002 but as fate would have it, I spent several extra hours in gridlock on the freeway on my way to the secretary of state's office to file. I missed the deadline by minutes. Rep. Larsen sought me out to get more clarification on what I was talking about, given that he found no time to talk with me during the 2000 campaign. I suggested that he could forward a food security bill, at which time he said it was a special interest issue, (food security for people is not a special interest issue to me). Because I’m a farmer concerned about my nation’s welfare, he somehow felt that I, on my 12-acre farm, would somehow reap some great windfall and saw this as a conflict of interest issue. Consequently, I’ve kept out of the mix, hoping to see Rick’s progress in this regard. He was assigned to the agriculture committee and for some reason removed. We now have no one representing our state's agricultural interests at the federal level. I’m 40+ years in agriculture. I’ve travelled the world observing food systems and serving my country in the army in peacetime. I’ve served on my county’s solid waste advisory committee as an expert on composting. I’ve served several years as a board member of a statewide agricultural non-profit (Tilth Producers of Washington). I’ve hosted and trained young people from all over the world at my wife’s and my farm (Mother Flight Farm). I believe my communication skills have in no small part been influential in many discussions at Washington State’s land grant university. I played a part in getting an Organic Agriculture Major degree program initiated at WSU. Our farm has been distinguished as a premiere producer of sustainably grown food, receiving “Salmon Safe” certification from stewardship partners. My diverse and extensive experiences compels me to throw myself once again to the mercy of the electorate.
Rick Bart, republican challenger, did not send campaign information by press time, nor did incumbent Larsen. Democrat challenger Doug Schaffer was involved in a car accident last weekend and was not able to respond to this e-mail in time to make the deadline.
Washington State Legislature, 39th District
The 39th District includes the towns along U.S. 2 from just east of Highway 9 to Stevens Pass, the Granite Falls area, Arlington, Darrington, and the towns of SR 20 from Sedro-Woolley to just west of Rainy Pass and north to the Canadian border.
Currently the 39th District is served by three republicans, Senator Val Stevens of Arlington and representatives Dan Kristiansen of Snohomish and Kirk Pearson of Monroe.
State Senate, 39th District
Fred Walser (D-Monroe)
Walser’s statement:
In my 40 years of law enforcement, I found myself in many situations that demanded tough leadership. I am running for the State Senate because our state needs that leadership and determination.
It’s time to rise to the challenges facing our state. High gas prices demand new ideas and new leadership. Let’s give people more choices with transit, ride share programs and telecommuting options. I will keep fighting (as I have for the last decade on U.S. 2) to improve roads and highways including SR 9, SR 20, and SR 522.
We must make our neighborhoods safer. I support stronger sex offender legislation that won’t release sex offenders in their county of offense or give homeless status anywhere close to their previous offense.
My wife, Donnetta, taught in our schools for 28 years. It’s given me firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing public education. I will stand up and champion our schools and our kids.
Our legislators need to do a better job explaining their priorities for state government. Every project should be scrutinized to ensure it is on time and on budget.
If you are ready for positive change and responsive leadership, I ask for your vote.
Val Stevens
(Val Stevens did not submit a photo)
Stevens’ statement:
From the start, I’ve stood against tax increases, especially property tax increases. There are more than enough tax revenues to meet the legitimate functions of government. What there isn’t enough of, is respect for people’s money.
When legislation comes before me for a new government program, it must pass three tests. First, is it needed? Second, can it be done more efficiently in the private sector, thereby creating private sector jobs that then re-contribute to the tax base? Finally, if it’s worthy of my vote, its funding must come from existing revenues, rather than new taxes.
I’ve tried to prioritize our transportation dollars and get more funding to U.S. 2, (the highway of death). Yet, this year a pittance of $14 million was allocated by the majority party. Ultimately, we will need to build four lanes from Highway 9 to just past Gold Bar and the Monroe by-pass. There are other roads and highways that need to be prioritized as well.
I will continue fighting to limit government control of your health care decisions, which curtails your ability to choose your own doctor and drives up costs.
It’s been an honor serving you and I humbly ask for your vote again.
State Representative 39th District, Position 2
David Personius (D-Arlington)
(David Personius did not submit a photo)
Personius' statement:
My name is David Personius. I am a candidate for State Representative, Position #2 in the 39th District. I have more in common with the voters than many of our disconnected officials today.
I have been a member of the electricians union, IBEW 46, since 1977.
I have worked the Seattle and Everett waterfronts assisting the Longshore in equipment maintenance and vessel renovation of state ferries. I spent several years in Dutch Harbor, Alaska doing cannery work and commercial fishing. I have spent the past five years as a commercial electrician at SeaTac Airport.
My commute makes me keenly aware of our local highways and roads plus fuel costs. My work experience gives me a unique perspective of transportation issues from ocean going shippers, trucking, rail connections and air transportation.
My time spent in the fishing community provides me with a knowledge and history of the North Pacific and Bering Sea stocks and the continued need to protect both them and our fishermen. In the Air Force I was trained as electronics tech, allowing me a first hand view of the wonders of technology.
More important than that is my connection to my family. I have two children, my son, a mechanic for the Metro bus system and my daughter, who with her husband and my grandchildren have been doing missionary work in India the last half decade. I have a brother who is a police officer, a sister who is a teacher and another who until recently ran a small business with her husband.
From these many inputs I have learned much about our priorities in public safety, education, transportation, small business, and family wage jobs.
Elect one of your own. Elect David Personius.
Kirk Pearson (R-Monroe)
Pearson’s statement:
I am proud to serve our community and have done my best to work as an effective voice for our local concerns. I’ve fought for our families, our seniors, and the most vulnerable members of our society. I am asking for your support once again this year.
My priorities for the next legislative session are:
To continue my work as a leader of the Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee; strengthening our public safety laws to ensure the safety of our children and protect our society from those who would do us harm.
In tough economic times I will continue to ensure that tax dollars are spent wisely and protecting our hardworking families from onerous tax increases while safeguarding funding for vital services.
All of Washington’s children deserve the opportunity to reach their maximum potential. I will continue working for our schools so that our youth are afforded the education they need to become successful adults, and the leaders of tomorrow.
The provision of safe highways is a fundamental responsibility of our state government. I will never give up the fight to secure needed funds for safety projects and congestion relief on our state roadways.
I am honored to serve as your local representative in Olympia.
Samantha Hicks (NP-Lake Stevens)
(Samantha Hicks did not submit a photo or statement.)
State Representative 39th District. Position 1
Scott Olson (D-Monroe)
Olson’s satement:
Without diminishing the seriousness of many other issues, U.S. 2 will, once again, be the major issue for the Sky Valley.
Over the last six years, tens of billions of dollars in road and transportation improvements have gone to other districts in the state and as a result we are left with a $2,000,000,000 repair bill. As the terrible toll of accidents and injuries rises on U.S. 2, other districts get their projects funded regardless of their political leanings. But not us. Why?
Partisan grandstanding has gotten in the way of finding real solutions to fix this dangerous and congested road.
Clearly, it’s time for a positive change. There is a need for a new cooperative approach that will focus on results, not partisan politics.
My work with many different people in the community over the last 20 years shows that I have the skills and experience necessary to produce sensible results on important issues like transportation, education, health care, sound growth and tax policies. Issues that are essential to a sustainable future and economic stability.
Instead of a hatful of unfulfilled promises, we need active leadership that looks to the future not the past for answers and that will do the work to get the job done.
(Dan Kristiansen did not respond to The Monitor by press time.)
