State Representative, District -- 11, Position -- 1

Party: Democrat

Date of birth: December 12, 1968

Residence: Tukwila

Education: University of Notre Dame

Political offices held: I am running for my first re-election to the State House of Representatives.

Public service and volunteer experience: I am very active in a number of community organizations, neighborhood groups, the Chamber of Commerce, and environmental groups.

Endorsements: Sierra Club, the 11th District Democrats, Washington State Labor Council

Campaign theme: I ran two years ago to go to Olympia to fight for good jobs, with good benefits. We started that task, and now I want to return to the state capitol to help create more jobs, and protect the jobs we have.

Questions for candidates

What are the biggest differences between you and your opponent(s)? I have the experience in the public and private sector, and in Olympia to continue working on creating more jobs, solving our transportation issues, and funding education in our state.

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? I would take the same approach as we did in the last term. We need to be willing to look at all options, we need to be willing to tear apart every line item of the budget, and we need to make sure we are fair and balanced in how we make our tough decisions.

Do you support the initiative to raise the sales tax 1 penny to raise money for schools and higher education? We need to create a stable funding source for our educational system, but I don't think that the initiative process produces the best policy. It is much better as a check on bad policies, not creating policy. The sales tax is one of the few taxes available to fund schools, but it is also very regressive.

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? I am not supporting the top two primary initiative. I believe the parties do represent some fundamental ideas - if they didn't we would have more independents elected to the state house. I also believe the First Amendment of the US Constitution should be protected, and I agree with the ruling from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that put us in our current situation. I am a Democrat because I believe in fighting for the little guy, and creating jobs - something Democrats have done since FDR.

What do you think of the initiative to expand the use of slot machines to reduce taxes? I do not think we should expand slot machines in our state, and I have heard this over and over again from people in my neighborhood and district. We should not turn Washington state into a Northwest Las Vegas with slot machines in every gas station, bowling alley, and bar that sells alcohol, or has pull tabs. It sends the wrong message to children, and is not a stable funding source over the long term.

Contact

4512 S 136TH ST
TUKWILA, WA 98168
(206) 860-9809
zack@zackhudgins.com

Campaign Web site:
www.zackhudgins.com