Rep. Mike Hope faces write-in for 44th District seat
Published 11:06 pm Thursday, August 5, 2010
State Rep. Mike Hope wants to serve a second term in the Legislature so he can bolster public safety and K-12 education — without raising taxes.
Hope, 34, a Seattle police officer, won his first term representing the 44th Legislative District Position 2 in 2008.
The Lake Stevens Republican said his work has earned him respect from politicians of both parties. Hope believes that puts him in a good spot to move forward cost-saving measures such as lowering the state’s health care premiums and reorganizing the state Department of Social and Health Services.
“If you’re from a district like mine that’s a swing district, you can’t come in there with a hard-nosed party philosophy,” Hope said.
“Whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, you represent all people of our district.”
Hope’s original Democratic challenger, Lake Stevens School Board member John Boerger, dropped out in June.
Boerger’s name will remain on the ballot because he left the race after the withdrawal deadline.
Another Democrat, 62-year-old Dick McManus, has announced he intends to run as a write-in candidate.
Hope has been a key player in an effort to change the state Constitution to allow judges to deny bail to defendants awaiting trial for some serious crimes.
The Lakewood Law Enforcement Memorial Act is named for four Lakewood police officers killed last year by a man out on bail on a charge of child rape.
Hope has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from John Carroll University in Ohio and a master’s degree in policy studies from the University of Washington.
McManus, of Everett’s Silver Lake area, describes himself as retired member of the U.S. Army with progressive political beliefs. He said he doesn’t want to see the Republican candidate run unchallenged.
Part of a blog posting from McManus’ Facebook page reads, “I do research into unusual topics, aka CONSPIRACIES,.. but I don’t believe there are little green men in a freezer at area 51.”
For more information, see www.electmikehope.com and www.remember lakewood.com or search for “Dick McManus 44th LD” on www.facebook.com.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com.
