Biographies of the 39th Legislative District candidates

Herald staff

Val Stevens, Republican

Age: 60

Hometown: Arlington

Education: Graduated Peninsula High School, Gig Harbor.

Occupation: Retired interior designer

Political experience: State representative, 1993-1996, state senator, 1997-2000.

Fun Fact: She likes to garden and when it’s not campaign season, she plants vegetables and flowers. She also likes to prune trees and loves being a grandmother to four grandchildren.

Fredda Smith, Democrat

Age: 45

Hometown: Arlington

Education: Graduated Pilchuck High School 1973; vocational teaching certificate, state of Washington.

Occupation: Dental office administrator, Lake Washington Technical School instructor in the dental assistant program.

Political experience: 11 years on the Lakewood School Board.

Fun Fact: She likes to quilt and do sewing crafts and she also skis.

Web site: www.freddasmithforsenate.com

Craig Chase, Libertarian

Age: 21

Hometown: Arlington

Education: Associate’s degree, and working on a bachelor’s in construction management at the University of Washington.

Occupation: Construction company employee

Political experience: None.

Fun Fact: He likes to fish. “There’s nothing better than spending a day or two in a boat fishing.”

Dan Kristiansen, Republican

Age: 37

Hometown: Snohomish

Education: Graduated Shorecrest High School, Shoreline.

Occupation: Wholesale representative

Political experience: None.

Fun Fact: He loves to off-road trail ride in jeeps with his children. He and other fathers have a group to take their children to the Cascades to ride on dedicated trails and camp, allowing the moms to have a weekend to themselves.

Hans Dunshee, Democrat

Age: 47

Hometown: Snohomish

Education: Bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of Washington.

Occupation: Septic system designer.

Political Experience: State representative, 1993-2000.

Web site: www.hansdunshee.com

Fun Fact: He loves to sea kayak. He also was a University of Washington wrestling letterman in 1973.

Robert Donat, Libertarian.

Donat withdrew from the race, giving his support to Kristiansen.

Liz Loomis, Democrat.

Age: 30

Hometown: Snohomish

Education: Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs at George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

Occupation: Owns a communications agency.

Political experience: Snohomish City Council 1997 to 2000, planning commission 1995 to 1997.

Web site: www.loomisforstaterep.com

Fun fact: Her favorite sport to play is professional kickboxing, wearing a helmet and gloves. Although she is a novice at it, she wants to pursue it.

Kirk Pearson, Republican

Age: 42

Hometown: Monroe

Education: Attended Wenatchee Valley College and Central Washington University.

Occupation: Special assistant to U.S. Congressman Jack Metcalf.

Political experience: None.

Web site: www.go-gop.com/kirk

Fun fact: He likes to lift weights and works out four times a week when not campaigning. His best bench press record is 375 pounds.

Christine Lawniczak, Libertarian.

Age: 27

Hometown: Monroe

Education: Not available.

Occupation: Manager of a company that provides workplace and life-effectiveness tools.

Political experience: Not available .

Fun fact: Likes hiking and traveling.

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