Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) Cris Larson (left) and John McCoy (click to enlarge) Cris Larson and John McCoy   ADVERTISEMENT   Candidate bios Cris Larson Age: 42 Hometown: Everett Education: Master of arts in education, Antioch University; bachelor of arts in English and secondary education, Western Washington University. Party: Declines to state Experience: Public school teacher, leadership position in teacher’s union Web site: none John McCoy Age: 64 Hometown: Tulalip Education: Served in the United States Air Force for 20 years, retiring in 1981 with extensive training in computer operations and programming Party: Democrat Experience: Three terms in the state House of Representatives Web site: www.johnmccoy.org   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 38th District House, Position 1: Larson challenges McCoy By David Chircop Herald Writer EVERETT -- Political newcomer Cris Larson says he often sees eye-to-eye with Democratic state Rep. John McCoy. But he's still challenging him for the 38th Legislative District. Larson, 42, of Everett, said he became frustrated when a handful of politicians didn't return his phone calls. And that convinced him to run. McCoy, 64, of Tulalip, said it's a good story, but only a story. He said that he never missed a call from Larson and his assistant has phone logs and e-mail records to prove it. The 38th District includes Everett, parts of Marysville, the Tulalip reservation and the Snohomish Valley west of Highway 9. McCoy, who manages the Tulalip Tribe's bustling Quil Ceda Village retail development, is running a low-key campaign. He even funneled $15,000 from his $76,000 war chest to assist other Democrats running for state office. He thinks the state could slice a projected budget deficit by consolidating state computer systems and revamping the complex way K-12 education is funded. McCoy also would like to expand broadband services to areas where only dial-up Internet service is available and improve health care in rural areas. Larson, who teaches English at Everett High School, did not file for office as a Republican or Democrat because he said he considers himself an independent thinker who tends to be socially liberal and fiscally conservative. While he has no prior political experience, Larson said his classroom management skills and years as a leader with the teachers' union has prepared him for office. If elected, Larson said he would work to make government more accountable and seek ways to balance the state budget without cutting funding for education and services for senior citizens. Campaign finance reform is another cause Larson said he would support. In the classroom, Larson said he keeps his comments to his students generic, saying they can complain about problems or try to become part of the solution. Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429 or dchircop@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Fire destroys Emory's restaurant 2. Man dies in apparent suicide on Edmonds beach 3. Camano Island burglaries spike: Is Colton back? 4. Storm dents Tulalip couple's retirement plan 5. For many cougars, it's one night only 6. Lulu the St. Bernard helps out with crossing guard job 7. Business Briefly: L.A. man gets prison for repackaging Boeing 737 plane parts 8. Sultan man charged with assault for firing at deputy 9. Peggy Pritchard Olson always put Edmonds first 10. Emory's blaze causes $2 million in damage 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Bazaar Fever • Hawks proud of historic season • Olson always put Edmonds first • Honoring student veterans • ‘Wheedle' author comes to Lynnwood bookshop • Mavs build early lead en route to easy win • Prep football games of the week (state playoffs) • Tears of laughter, tears of grief • Death on Edmonds beach likely a suicide • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million