State Representative, District -- 36, Position -- 1

Party: Republican

Residence: Queen Anne

Education: M.Div.-Yale; M.Div.-Berkeley; B.A.-U.W.

Public service and volunteer experience: Local community, social action, crime watch, and food bank organizations. Contributor to Alzheimer's Assn. of Western WA, National Arbor Day Foundation, Audubon, National Wildlife Federation, Ocean Conservancy, and African Wildlife Fund.

Endorsements: Late entrant.

Campaign theme: Jobs for those who want to work; student choices in education: unclog commercial transportation.

Questions for candidates

What are the biggest differences between you and your opponent(s)? I am a workhorse ready to support Dino Rossi's monumental effort to get this state "working again"; I have a breadth of experience in commerce, education, publishing, and hard news journalism unequaled by my competitor; I am a first-rate communicator; I have experience in business development, production, and sales; I respect every point of view and am able to visit all sides of a problem before finding or negotiating the best solution; I know what "customer service" means.

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? Put B&O on a profitability instead of gross-revenue basis so that businesses can start to grow in a normal fashion to create healthy, taxable revenue streams. Encourage commerce and cut unnecessary regulation. Get the state out of the insurance business, so that the private sector can bring down costs for health care. Revise the tax credit system so that every business is treated equally. Unclog transportation corridors so companies can do business without wasted time.

Do you support the initiative to raise the sales tax 1 penny to raise money for schools and higher education? Knowing the education industry, my inclination is to support this fix to support commitments the voters have already made to educators. However, more money may not be the answer if the current structures are not fully accountable for new funds or even already earmarked funds. The results of several major educational studies will be completed soon.

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? Satisfied. No.

What do you think of the initiative to expand the use of slot machines to reduce taxes? I do not think much of it.

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