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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