Young candidate makes a bid for the Legislature

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE -- Andrew Funk's summer schedule is filling up fast.

The 18-year-old is looking for a job.

He's taking a class at Central Washington University's campus in Lynnwood.

And he's campaigning for a seat in the state Legislature.

"I can't just depend on winning an election to support my income so I'm still planning to go to school and work," said Funk, who lives with his parents in Mountlake Terrace.

Funk, a Republican, is challenging Rep. Marko Liias, D-Mukilteo, in the 21st Legislative District for a job that pays about $41,000. Funk announced his candidacy in April.

Friday night at a Lynnwood pizza parlor, Funk formally kicked off the campaign with an event for networking with local Republicans and netting cash toward his fundraising goal of $5,000.

Funk turns 19 in August and this year is the state's youngest candidate for a legislative seat.

Thus far it's a distinction that's viewed as an oddity, not an obstacle.

"It's unusual, out of the normal," he said. Folks don't write big checks to youthful newcomers, so he tries to capitalize on the free media attention he's receiving.

In this race, age won't gain him much advantage on Liias, who is 26 and presently the youngest member of the state Legislature.

"The novelty of it is difficult to make an issue because we are both so young and we both represent the future of this country," Liias said.

Liias knows a bit about the path Funk is on. Liias was 22 when he first ran for a school board seat in Mukilteo and lost.

In 2005, voters elected Liias, then 24, to the Mukilteo City Council. In January, the Snohomish County Council appointed him to succeed Democrat Brian Sullivan in the Legislature.

"When you're young, people want to know what your life experiences are," he said. "Today I do have that experience under my belt."

Funk's political journey began as a junior at Edmonds-Woodway High School.

He said he and a buddy considered forming a club for trap shooting enthusiasts like themselves. They figured they'd never get support to bring the guns on campus.

Instead his friend, who liked politics, suggested they create a Republican club, which they did.

"At the time I didn't know a whole lot about politics. I like the Republican Party because of their views on gun rights," he said.

He described his philosophy then as "neocon" and said today it is "more Libertarian Ron Paul-like."

In 2006, Funk volunteered on Republican Mike Hope's unsuccessful run for the state house. In 2007, he helped John Zambrano win re-election to the Mountlake Terrace Council.

Last November also marked the first time Funk voted.

Coming into this year, he was keeping an eye on races in the 21st district, which includes the cities of Mukilteo, Lynnwood, Edmonds and a sliver of Mountlake Terrace. In 2006, no one challenged any of the three incumbent Democrats. He vowed not to let that happen again.

In April, as he wrapped up an associate of arts degree in accounting at Edmonds Community College, he launched his campaign.

"I wanted the opportunity to run for new leadership and to offer voters somebody with conservative views," he said.

While he's trying to educate voters, he's getting a crash course himself in campaign politics.

There's junk mail from vendors of campaign materials such as signs and literature that he's tossed. There are lots of questionnaires to fill out.

It's not for a lack of positions on issues. He's got those.

He wants to phase out the state property tax levy over a period of five years, eliminate the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, lengthen prison terms for serious offenses and prevent tolls on highways.

Liias checked out Funk's political positions online.

"From what I've read, I think he's a little out of step with the district," he said.

Funk is looking forward to finding out.

"I am going at this to win," he said.

Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.