Three vie for open 1st District seat

State House of Representatives, 1st District, Position 2

What’s the job?

At stake is a two-year term as a representative in the state Legislature. The 1st Legislative District covers areas of Bothell, Woodinville, Mountlake Terrace and Brier as well as portions of Lynnwood and Edmonds. The annual salary is $42,106.

Notable: Candidates in the 1st District, Position 2 race face no incumbent. Mark Ericks decided not to run again because has been nominated to be U.S. Marshal for the Western District. He is awaiting Senate confirmation.

Election Day: Aug. 17, with ballots scheduled to be mailed out July 30. The top two vote-getters will proceed to the general election in November.

Heidi Munson

Age: 34

Occupation: Self-employed house cleaner

Hometown: Bothell

Party: Republican

Website: www.munson2010.com

Education: 1994 graduate of Scriber Lake High School, Lynnwood, as well as computer repair certification

Munson priorities:

Said the state needs a sustainable budget without burdensome regulations and tax increases, and this will create jobs.

Wants local school districts to have more control while continuing to meet federal standards. School boards and principals should design curriculum to fit their school populations. Would like to serve on the Legislature’s budget committee or education committee.

In her own words: “We need citizen legislators, not people with a gazillion degrees. You just need to understand basic economics and the Constitution. A representative should represent the people and not disregard what the people want. I have had enough of government ignoring me. I would bring private-sector experience, the view of a small business owner, to the Legislature.”

Luis Moscoso

Age: 60

Occupation: Recently retired Washington Public Employees Association director of government relations. Also worked as a bus driver and quality improvement specialist for Community Transit.

Hometown: Mountlake Terrace

Party: Democratic, secretary of the state Democratic Party

Website: www.electluis.net

Education: University of Iowa bachelor’s degrees in anthropology and archeology; two years of graduate school

Moscoso priorities:

Said the biggest concern is improving the state’s economy and determining funding priorities until the economy comes back. Wants to improve opportunities for jobs while maintaining a safety net for people who are out of work.

Wants to avoid waging ideological warfare with Republicans. “If we are just agitated, angry and blaming others, we aren’t looking for solutions. We need people to know what’s going on, instead of having voters choose candidates based on sound bites.”

In his own words: “I can make a positive difference for the people of our district and state. I’ve been a political activist and community volunteer in Snohomish County for 30 years, but this is my first run for office. I am dedicated to working for the public, and want to look for solutions to the economic problems that face all of us.”

David Griffin

Age: 47

Occupation: Laid off in March from box manufacturer in Bellevue

Hometown: near Maltby

Party: Democratic

Website: www.davegriffin2010.com

Education: 1981 graduate of Bothell High School, also attended Everett Community College

Griffin priorities:

Said senior citizens are his top priority. Observed his late mother dealing with high property taxes and medical costs, and wants to figure out a way to make it easier for older people.

Wants state government to “get more aggressive about pinching pennies.”

Said early childhood education is essential to improving the educational system and that parents need to the tools to help educate their preschoolers.

In his own words: “I am not an insider politician. We need new blood in the political arena. I have no affiliations and no money backing me. My daughter and some friends are helping me. We’re not a grass-roots campaign. So far, we’re just the roots.”