Tagle to run for 21st Dist. Pos. 2

Published 7:35 am Friday, February 29, 2008

By Shanti Hahler

Edmonds Enterprise editor

Alan Tagle may be a latecomer to the race for House seat Position 2 in the 21st District, but he says he’s ready to go.

“It’s going to be a tough race, but what can’t be done through hard work?” Tagle, a republican, said.

Tagle will face incumbent Brian Sullivan, D-Mukilteo, who is currently finishing up his second term in the House.

Filing on the last day for the seat, Tagle, 21, said he had hesitated to give up his private life until a friend convinced him to run.

“I usually like to stay in the private end of things, but I also like serving the public,” Tagle said.

Tagle has not previously run or held political office. If elected this year, he said his top two priorities are improving transportation taxes.

“I work on Beacon Hill in south Seattle, and it takes me an hour just to get to work. Our traffic is horrible,” Tagle said. “I’d make sure (the legislature) is running efficient, productive and streamlined; I hate waste.”

Tagle said he believes his work as a personal banker for Bank of America would bring a strong financial and business perspective to the position.

“My second priority is tax payer’s money, how it is spent. Lately it seems we are being taxed more and more and spending less,” he said.

His overall goal, he said, was to help create change.

“I don’t care if I’m only in there for one term as long as I can make a difference,” Tagle said.

Tagle, originally from Peru, has been a Lynnwood resident for six years and lives there with his wife Meagan. He attended Meadowdale High School, Edmonds Community College and both the University of Washington Business School’s Seattle and Bothell campuses.