Meet the candidates: State House of Representatives, 38th District, Position 1

What’s the job

At stake is a two-year term as a representative in the state Legislature. This seat is for the 38th Legislative District that covers parts of Snohomish County including Everett, Marysville and the part of the Snohomish Valley west of Highway 9. The annual salary is $42,106.

Election Day: Aug. 17, ballots are scheduled to be mailed out Friday. Both candidates will proceed to November’s general election under the state’s top two primary system.

Hugh Fleet

Age: 62

Occupation: Telecom manager for Marysville School District

Residence: Marysville

Website: www.votefleet.org

Party: Republican

Education: Attended Wayzata High School, Wayzata, Minn., but left in the 10th grade to join the U.S. Navy. Later completed GED and earned a two-years associate’s degree in electronic engineering.

In his own words: “I’ve always been interested in my country. I feel it’s going in the wrong direction. I feel I shouldn’t just complain but see if I can be a voice to move it in the other direction.”

Priorities: Favors further reducing the state budget “so we are back in the black.” Said good financial oversight can be accomplished by fully funding and removing restrictions on the state auditor.

Said he’s pro-education and is worried local schools aren’t staying competitive. Schools should continue to push math and reading at an early age.

Favors stronger parental control.

Notable: Fleet, a Vietnam veteran, conducts American heritage flag shows at schools and other organizations.

John McCoy

Age: 66

Occupation: Incumbent state representative and retired general manager for Tulalip’s Quil Ceda Village

Residence: Tulalip

Website: www.johnmccoy.org

Party: Democratic

Education: El Capitan High School, located near San Diego, Calif., (1961) and some college, received technical training during his time in the U.S. Air Force

In his own words: “Quil Ceda Village would not be here today if I hadn’t brought technology to the reservation.”

Priorities: Believes technology is crucial for economic development and wants broadband to all corners of the area.

The state can no longer rely only on hydropower, he said. The state needs to cultivate alternative energy sources, including nuclear.

Supports small businesses and pointed to his work on the creation of a new manufacturing job training center. Favors tax incentives for business.

Notable: Proud of a bill that put money toward capital projects that support youth and his work to make sure criminals can’t use jurisdictions between tribal and nontribal land as a way to escape the law.