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| Richard Shepard, Libertarian |
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| Candidate: Attorney general |
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| Richard Shepard |
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| Age: 50 |
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| Residence: Tacoma |
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| Occupation: |
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Attorney |
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| Education: |
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B.A. in political science, California State University, Northridge; J.D., University of Puget Sound |
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| Political history: |
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Member, Pierce County Citizen's Election Oversight Committee |
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| Endorsements: No response |
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| Campaign Web site: http://go.to/shepard2000 |
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| Campaign theme: Trust, competence. |
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| 1. |
Do you support the recommendations in the attorney general's privacy report? Please give details. |
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Social Security and bank-account numbers are especially sensitive to misuse in the wrong hands and deserve protection by state law. Both the attorney general and individual citizens should have the right to make claims for misuse in court. |
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| 2. |
Would you support a law limiting the amount of damages people could recover from the state? Why or why not? |
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I would not support a law limiting the amount of damages people could recover from the state because the state can, and sometimes does, do more damage to an individual than any other person or entity. |
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| 3. |
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 think the death penalty is a necessary evil in modern society. However, I also understand that an execution typically costs the state more than sentencing an offender to life in prison. I would have to review the circumstances where it has been imposed before I could recommend changes. |
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| 4. |
What would you do to improve the Attorney General's office? |
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I would review outstanding lawsuits to determine what can be done to settle them. I have seen the Attorney General's Office go for the win rather than weigh the benefits of settling. I would also review existing law to see how its volume (several shelves worth) could be reduced to a more manageable size. |
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| 5. |
What do you think the top priority of the office should be? |
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The state Constitution says: "All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights." The job of the attorney general is to protect and maintain individual rights. |
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