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| Gary Locke, Democrat (Incumbent) |
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| Candidate: Governor |
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| Gary Locke* |
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| Age: 50 |
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| Residence: Olympia |
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| Occupation: |
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Governor |
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| Education: |
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B.A. in political science, Yale University; J.D., Boston University |
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| Political history: |
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State representative, 1982-1993; King County executive, 1994-1996; governor, 1997-present |
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| Endorsements: |
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Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO; Law Enforcement Administrators of Washington; Washington National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League |
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| Campaign Web site: http://www.garylocke.com |
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| Campaign theme: None. |
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| 1. |
What is your position on the initiatives proposed on this year's November ballot? |
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I-713 - Animal trapping |
yes |
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I-722 - Property taxes |
no |
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I-728 - School district financing |
yes |
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I-729 - Charter schools |
yes |
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I-732 - Teacher raises |
yes |
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I-745 - Transportation funding |
no |
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| 2. |
Do you favor changing any existing gun laws? If so, explain. |
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I favor enforcing the gun laws we currently have, but I also want measures that ensure guns will be kept out of the hands of children, such as the use of trigger locks and the safe storage of guns. I have a zero-tolerance policy regarding guns in our schools. |
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| 3. |
What would you do to preserve Washington's endangered salmon species? |
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My plan addresses the need for clean water for both people and fish, focusing on critical aspects of habitat, hatcheries, harvest and hydroelectric power. We must allow fishers to catch hatchery fish, while allowing wild fish to reach spawning grounds. I also support local watershed planning in major state watersheds. |
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| 4. |
Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has declared blanket primary elections like Washington's violate political parties' constitutional rights, what form of new primary election system would you propose adopting? |
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I expect the Legislature will give very thoughtful consideration to how our primary election system can be revamped. At this point, I don't know what form that will take, but I look forward to offering my input to the discussions where appropriate. |
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| 5. |
A judge struck down Initiative 695's provision that would have required a public vote for all tax and fee increases. Would you support a Constitutional amendment that would require the public vote? Why or why not? |
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I think you have to be very careful when considering amending the constitution. I also believe doing so would take away from the responsibilities we have given our elected officials. When we vote people into office, we are entrusting them to represent us and make thoughtful decisions on our behalf. |
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| 6. |
Do you support allowing state services to be contracted out to private firms? Why or why not? |
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I support contracting out state services to private entities when it has been shown that a private firm can do the service for less and when it does not take jobs away from state employees. |
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| 7. |
A commission studying transportation funding says a new financing mechanism is needed to keep Washington transportation projects on track. How would you propose financing future transportation projects? |
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The Legislature passed a transportation budget that provides $1.5 billion in funding over five years. This will provide a funding bridge to support essential highway, freight mobility, ferry and other transportation projects until the next legislative session(s) can implement the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation. |
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| 8. |
With some states reconsidering the death penalty, what is your position and what changes, if any, do you think are needed in Washington's law? Under what circumstances would you support a moratorium? |
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I believe the state's death-penalty statute is one that represents the view of the majority of citizens. It was crafted by minds that gave it very careful consideration and deliberation. |
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| 9. |
Do you think any innocent person has been executed in Washington? |
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I believe that in each instance the death penalty was used during my administration, it was only after every detail relevant to the case had been carefully considered and examined. |
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| 10. |
What would you do to improve the economy in rural Washington? |
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I have already done the following: allowed rural counties to keep sales-tax revenue to pay for infrastructure projects; allocated $65 million in federal transportation funding to rural areas; and, regulations have been restructured and incentives have been provided to modernize telecommunications in rural areas. |
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