Pearson’s opponents trumpet their novelty
Published 11:20 pm Sunday, August 3, 2008
Two political newcomers are facing off against a veteran state representative in the 39th Legislative District.
Rep. Kirk Pearson is running for his fifth two-year term. The Monroe Republican said he has developed skills to work with Democrats to get things done, even though he belongs to the minority party in Olympia.
“I’ve been very effective,” Pearson, 49, said.
Pearson has stayed in Olympia too long, and people are ready for a change, said David Personius, an Arlington Democrat. Personius said he can relate to working families because he has worked as an electrician for more than 30 years.
“I am more like them than (Pearson) is,” Personius, 52, said.
Samantha Hicks of Lake Stevens emphasizes that partisan politics is hurting the state, as it is the rest of the nation. Hicks, 57, is running as an independent.
“It’s my advantage that I have no experience in elected office,” said Hicks, a self-employed financial adviser.
Hicks said she has secured no donations or endorsements. That makes her campaign independent — and challenging.
“If I make it through the primary, I know I have a good shot,” Hicks said.
The primary election is Aug. 19. Two of the three candidates will advance to the general election in November.
All of the candidates cited U.S. 2 as an important issue for the 39th District, which stretches over rural areas in Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom and King counties.
“Infrastructure is a priority for the government,” Hicks said, adding that she also wants to make sure that the state would cover a projected deficit in its budget.
Experience matters, Pearson said. He said he has helped to secure $14 million for U.S. 2 projects this year.
“There are good things we can do” on the highway, Pearson said.
Personius said that as a Democrat, he should be able to get more attention and money for the deadly highway.
“It’s always going to be difficult for (Pearson) to get support from the other side of aisle,” he said.
His focus is public safety, which comes in many forms, Personius said. If elected, he wants to work to protect families against financial predators.
He will fight for “more safeguards and more regulations,” he said.
Pearson said he works full-time as a state lawmaker so that he can be available to people and listen to their concerns.
“I don’t hide from folks,” Pearson said. “I do love this job.”
Pearson, a member of the Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee, said that he wants to improve the monitoring system of sex offenders.
During the last legislative session, he sponsored two successful bills to give people better protection against identity theft and flood damage, Pearson said.
39th District State Representative, Pos. 2
Samantha Hicks
Age: 57
Hometown: Lake Stevens
Party: Independent
Experience: Self-employed financial adviser.
Kirk Pearson
Age: 49
Hometown: Monroe
Party: Republican
Experience: State representative since 2000. Special assistant for U.S. Rep. Jack Metcalf, 1995 to 2000. City of Monroe planning commissioner, 1989 to 1992.
David Personius
Age: 52
Hometown: Arlington
Party: Democrat
Experience: Member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers since 1977.
