State Senator, District -- 10

Party: Republican

Date of birth: June 5, 1962

Residence: Mount Vernon, WA

Education: Bachelor of Arts: W WU, Teaching Certificate: WWU, Associate of Arts: Skagit Valley CC

Political offices held: Mount Vernon City Council - 8 years.

Public service and volunteer experience: Vernon City Council Member (1995 to 2003), Finance Committee member (1996 to 2003), Economic Development Committee (1997 to 2003), Public Safety Committee (1995 to 2003), Overall Economic Development Committee Member (1996), Chalk Art Festival Coordinator (1999), Block Watch Captain (1996-1999), Graduate of Mount Vernon Police Department Citizens Academy (1997), Urban Forestry Advisory Board (1995), Overall Economic Development Committee (1996), Downtown Revitalization subcommittee of the OEDP, Youth group leader (1982 to 2000, various leadership positions within the organization), Coordinator of the West Mount Vernon Easter Egg Hunt, President of Relief Society Women’s Organization (1999-2000)

Endorsements: Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW)
Human Life
Swinomish Tribal Community
Chiropractors Association
GOAL
NRA
Former Congressman Jack Metcalf
Representative Barbara Bailey
Representative Barry Sehlin
Former Representative Cheryl Himes
County Commissioner John Koster
Snohomish County Sheriff Rick Bart
Skagit County Commissioner Ted Anderson

Campaign theme: "April Axthelm is an impressive individual who works hard for her community. I know she's going to be an outstanding leader - a leader in the State Senate. She has a unique background and a strength of character that is refreshing and positive." - Representative Barry Sehlin

Questions for candidates

What are the biggest differences between you and your opponent(s)? Fresh, new ideas for restoring balance, integrity and citizen trust to Washington state government.

What are your highest priorities for state government? If you had to close the projected $1 billion gap between state government revenues and expenses, how would you do it? My highest priorities for government as a state senator are: A) Fiscal responsibility and accountability in government, including performance audits of state agencies. B) Lower health care costs and prescription drug affordability. C) Creating a positive economic climate with strong family-wage-job availability. D) Creating an educational environment that provides the best education in the world to the children of Washington state. I would approach the billion dollar deficit by finding savings within the current expenditures and the current budget.

Do you support the initiative to raise the sales tax 1 penny to raise money for schools and higher education? As you know, I have experience as an educator in our public schools: I am a strong supporter of education and teachers. However, I do not feel that this initiative is the solution to our problems in the education system. We need to analyze expenditures within our current educational system before asking for more.

Are you happy with Washington's new primary? Are you supporting the initiative that would give Washington a "top 2" primary system that the parties oppose? In knocking on over 13,000 doors, I have learned from the people that I have met that they are very unhappy with the new primary. I do not care for it either. I vote for principles and personal qualities, not party only. The top 2 primary has problems as well, but I would like to see how it has worked in other states before implementing it in Washington.

What do you think of the initiative to expand the use of slot machines to reduce taxes? I do not support expansion of gambling.

Contact

3700 E. COLLEGE WAY, MOUNT VERNON, WA
MOUNT VERNON, WA 98273
(360) 428-6055
Axthelm4senate@yahoo.com

Campaign Web site:
www.AprilAxthelm.com