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<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) Kirk Pearson (left) and David E. Personius   ADVERTISEMENT   Candidate bios Kirk Pearson Age: 50 Party: Republican Residence: Monroe Education: Monroe High School and attended Central Washington University. Experience: Running for his fifth term as state representative, a job he’s had since 2000. Committee assignments include public safety, capital budget, sentencing guidelines and ecology and parks. Former Monroe planning commissioner. Served as a special assistant to U.S. Rep. Jack Metcalf, 1995 to 2000. Web site: kirkpearson.blogspot.com David Personius Age: 52 Party: Democratic Residence: Arlington Education: Green River Community college, IBEW electrical apprenticeship, life insurance and real estate training. Experience: Member of Electricians Local IBEW 46 since 1977 and an electrician at Sea-Tac International Airport. Has served as shop steward and on labor negotiations teams. Previously an owner of a small business. Web site: David Personius at MySpace.com   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 39th Legislative District House Position 2: Pearson, Personius clash on spending priorities By Gale Fiege Herald Writer Incumbent Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, and his Democratic opponent David Personius of Arlington agree on at least one thing: The economy foreshadows tough times ahead for the state. Pearson said the road ahead in the Legislature includes lots of hard work ahead to trim spending, protect jobs and help small business. Personius calls himself a Franklin Delano Roosevelt-style Democrat and cautioned that cutting social services in tough times is not the way to go. They are vying for the 39th District, Position 2. Running for his fifth two-year term, Pearson said he wants to ensure the safety of children and curb college tuition costs. Along with the economy, though, his major concern is safety on U.S. 2. U.S. 2 also is at the top of his list of concerns, Personius said. Despite their tenure, the Republican incumbents in the region are not bringing home the bacon for public works projects, Personius said. During the primary election campaign Personius charged that Pearson is a full-time legislator who doesn't relate to working people. Pearson defended himself, saying that his father was a union butcher, he was working in a factory when he was first elected and he's even experienced the pain of being laid off. He also said he believes the only way he can do a good job as a lawmaker is working full time. Reporter Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427 or gfiege@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

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