Herald staff

Bradley Carey, Libertarian

Age: 42

Hometown: Mount Vernon

Education: Doctorate in religion from United Faith Seminary in Wellborn, Fla., law degree from Bernadean University in North Hollywood, Calif.

Occupation: Minister for Christian Works

Political experience: Never held elected office

Campaign Web site: carey4statesenate.tripod.com

Fun Fact: He’s the published author of four books. Two of them, one about cults and the other about eschatology, are sold on amazon.com.

Mary Margaret Haugen, Democrat

Age: 59

Hometown: Camano Island

Education: Mount Vernon Beauty School

Occupation: Retired beauty salon owner

Political experience: Camano Island School Board member from 1973-84; state representative, 1983-92; state senator 1993-2000

Campaign Web site: www.marymargaret.org

Fun Fact: She loves to fish, dig clams and pick blackberries.

Norma Smith, Republican

Age: 49

Hometown: Clinton

Education: Bachelor’s in theology, Puget Sound Christian College in Edmonds

Occupation: Special assistant to U.S. Rep. Jack Metcalf, R-Wash.

Political experience: South Whidbey School Board, 1991-95

Campaign Web site: www.normasmith2000.org

Fun Fact: She loves high schoolers and often invites groups of them to her home, which she says is quite apparent with one look at her carpets.

Dave Anderson, Democrat

Age: 57

Hometown: Clinton

Education: Four years studying science and business at the University of Washington, doctor of veterinary medicine from Washington State University

Occupation: Owns Island Greens Golf Course, retired veterinarian

Political experience: South Whidbey Parks and Recreation commissioner, 1984-88; state representative 1997-2000

Campaign Web site: www.voteanderson.com

Fun Fact: He enjoys landscaping, especially with rhododendrons – he has more than 300 of the flowering shrubs.

Dean Brittain, Libertarian

Age: 54

Hometown: Mount Vernon

Education: Associate in electronics and associate in computers from Skagit Valley College

Occupation: Real estate appraiser

Political experience: Ran for state representative twice in the 1980s

Campaign Web site: None

Fun Fact: He’s a professional musician. Dressed up in a zoot suit, he plays guitar and sings in a swing band called Dillinger’s Clambake.

Barry Sehlin, Republican

Age: 57

Hometown: Oak Harbor

Education: Associate’s degree from Skagit Valley College, bachelor’s in international relations and government from the U.S. Naval Post-Graduate School, master’s in political science from Western Washington University

Occupation: Retired U.S. Navy captain

Political experience: State representative, 1993-98

Campaign Web site: www.barrysehlin.com

Fun Fact: His hobby is woodworking and making furniture. He recently designed and built kitchen cabinets for his home.

Kelly Barlean, Republican

Age: 39

Hometown: Langley

Education: Bachelor’s degree in international affairs from the U.S. Air Force Academy, law degree from the University of Colorado

Occupation: Attorney

Political experience: Langley City Council, 1994-99; state representative, 1999-00

Campaign Web site: www.kellybarlean.com

Fun Fact: He plays frisbee with his dog every day.

John McCoy, Democrat

Age: 56

Hometown: Tulalip

Education: High school

Occupation: Executive director of governmental affairs for the TulalipTribes

Political experience: Has never held elected office

Campaign Web site: www.votemccoy.com

Fun Fact: He’s a big Mariners fan. When he goes doorbelling during game-time, he keeps track of the score from house to house.

Lew Randall, Libertarian

Age: 58

Hometown: Freeland

Education: Bachelor’s in philosophy, Harvard College; three years post-graduate work at Stanford University studying mathematics education

Occupation: Self-employed private investor

Political experience: Never held elected office

Campaign Web site: www.voteliberty.org

Fun Fact: He sailed a sailboat across the Pacific Ocean, with no engine, from San Francisco to Molokai, Hawaii, which was to be the first leg of an around-the-world journey. The voyage ran aground when one of the “three young and foolish men in their 20s” fell in love with a school teacher in Honolulu.