Age: 26
Occupation: Teacher, Edmonds Community College
Political experience: Delegate, 2000 Democratic National Convention; Precinct Committee Officer, 21st District Democrats
Work experience: Teacher, Edmonds Community College, Department of Political Science; member, Washington Federation of Teachers, Local #4254; former development director, Washington State Democrats; former aide to Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Tacoma), and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wa.); Masters Degree, Johns Hopkins University; Bachelors Degree, Gonzaga University
Personal experience: Member, Friends of the Edmonds Library; board member, Sno-King Youth Club; member, Edmonds Chamber of Commerce; member, Citizens for Environmental Responsibility
Top 3 issues: 1) Traffic – enough studies. Enough talk. Fix it. We should build light and commuter rail; construct HOV lanes and make road improvements; encourage telecommuting and trip reduction programs. 2) Education – our first responsibility. We must reduce class sizes and retain quality teachers. D.J. Wilson is the only candidate endorsed by Washington Federation of Teachers. 3) Pro-Choice – D.J. Wilson unequivocally supports a woman’s right to choose. He is 100 pro-choice and the only candidate endorsed by Washington NARAL.
Why voters should pick me: While we’re stuck in traffic, our state government is gridlocked. D.J. Wilson’s fresh perspective, common sense and hard work will help us move forward. He’s the only candidate endorsed by Washington Conservation Voters and he’ll protect our environment. D.J. listens, and cares about our community because he’s a part of it.
Age: 43
Occupation: Small business owner: Riley’s Pizza, Mukilteo
Political experience: 1990-1997: Mayor of Mukilteo: Oversaw rapidly-growing city with 55 full-time employees and $13 million budget; worked with private industry to build new roads and reduce traffic congestion; led the process to construct new schools and a city library; secured federal funding to clean up a toxic waste site; increased public safety personnel including firefighters and police; 1985-1989: Member of Mukilteo City Council Chaired Community Development and Land Use Committees; studied local, county, state and federal laws regarding municipal corporation operations and government, and focused on resolving constituent issues
Work experience: 1992-present: Successful small business owner, facing constituent issues including taxes, health care, transportation, insurance, safety and finance; 1991-1993: Policy Analyst for Snohomish County; liaison to Public Works, Corrections and Solid Waste; 1989-1991: corporate manager for regional restaurant chain; 1985: Congressional intern to Rep. Al Swift; 1982: Administrative assistant to State Sen. Larry Vognild
Personal experience: Leader of “Committee to Let People Decide” when Paine Field was considering expansion. Helped ensure that planners were responsive to resident concerns; Board member, American Red Cross, Snohomish County Chapter; trustee, Boys and Girls Club of America, former program Director of Edmonds Boys and Girls Club; Rotarian, Mukilteo/South Everett Rotary; Citizen of the Year Award winner; member, Mukilteo Lions Club
Top 3 issues: 1) Transportation: Having personally knocked on over 10,000 doors since the beginning of this campaign, I know that our working families put transportation at the top of their demands of the upcoming Legislature. Business is in agreement – we need to get moving. I have successfully brought stronger transportation to my area, and would like to bring this experience and expertise to Olympia. 2) Education: As the father of two school-age children, I have a strong interest in making our schools effective for students and society alike. To achieve excellence in education, we must have competitively paid educators and modern classrooms. 3) Environment: Clean air and water are our fundamental rights. I have consistently worked to ensure that polluters be required to clean up the damage they inflict. This included obtaining Pentagon funding to assure that jet fuel did not seep into Puget Sound. I will bring the same commitment and creativity to work as a state legislator.
Why voters should pick me: Our roads are in gridlock, as is our Legislature. I have the experience and determination to achieve meaningful legislation and get our workers and businesses moving. Solely endorsed by District 21 Democrats, Medic 7 Paramedics Association, your local firefighters, Congressman Rick Larsen, 21st District State Sen. Paull Shin, 21st District Rep. Mike Cooper, Washington State Labor Council and experts in education, transportation, environmental issues, public safety, energy and individual rights.
Fun Facts: High school state wrestling champion twice; attended University of Washington on wrestling scholarship; while Mukilteo mayor, I enjoyed surprising constituents and staff by working the front desk and telephones in order to stay in touch with the community; my greatest satisfaction is spending evenings with my family after working hard for my neighbors.
Age: 18
Occupation: Political organizer
Political experience: Volunteer: Coordinator of Green Party of South Snohomish County. 2000 campaigns – Ralph Nader for president, Bill Bradley for president, Deborah Senn for U.S. Senate, Jay Inslee for Congress, Health Care 2000.
Current/former member: Amnesty International, Human Rights Campaign, National Audubon Society.
Work experience: Internship with Washington CeaseFire.
Personal experience: Perspective: I’m the son of entrepreneurial Korean immigrants and a recent graduate of local public schools. Last year I spent nearly a month living in a hostel, an inner-city housing collective and strangers’ homes while traveling the East Coast to engage in political activities. I understand and appreciate differences of perspective.
Top 3 issues: 1) Comprehensive Campaign Finance Reform: Reduce the special interest control of our politics through greater limitations on political contributions/expenditures and public financing of public campaigns. 2) Electoral Reform: Democratize voting through Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) in which voters rank the candidates. This allows for a greater diversity of opinion and encourages coalition building. http://www.irvoting.org. 3) Environment Sustainability-Transportation: Curtail wanton environmental destruction by emphasizing growth management and acknowledge the underlying cause of our transportation crisis: excessive sprawl.
Why voters should pick me: I’m unobligated to moneyed interests. I’ll have no qualms about striving to democratize our electoral system, to eliminate the special interest stranglehold on our politics, to call for greater local determination, and to demand government accountability. I’m undeterred by important but controversial issues that affect our quality of life.
Fun facts: I’m a die-hard public radio/television enthusiast.
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