State Representative, District -- 10, Position -- 1

Party: Republican

Residence: Langley, WA

Education: B.A. The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA

Political offices held: Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff, Congressman Jack Metcalf,
Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director, Congressman Denny Rehberg,
Legislative Political Director, Republican National Committee,
Washington State Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee Clerk,
Legislative Aide for Washington State Senator Neil Amondson

Public service and volunteer experience: Ballot Security Instructor, Presidential Election, Monrovia Liberia, International Election Monitor, Various, Kiwanis, The Concord Coalition, Boy Scouts of America

Endorsements: Representative Barry Sehlin, Representative Barbara Bailey, National Federation of Independent Business, Washington State Medical Association,
Former Congressman Jack Metcalf, Snohomish County Medical Association, Washington Association of Realtors

Campaign theme: If our children and grandchildren are going to enjoy a better quality of life than we have enjoyed here in Washington, we must reform our economy, reduce regulation, pass tort reform, and improve our education and transportation infrastructure. If we don't do these things, too many jobs and too much opportunity will leave our state!

Questions for candidates

What are the biggest differences between you and your opponent(s)? I will commit to fight for real tort reform, oppose the growth of state government, and work to empower individuals to make decisions for themselves. We need to tackle our education and transportation infrastucture problems, but tax increases are not the answer. I will fight for reform of the bureacracies behind these challenges through performance audits and implementation of those recommendations!

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? Education is the priority of our state government. Helping our young men and women learn the skills to compete in today's global economy is crucial. Other priorities include improving our business climate, protecting our quality of life, and making home ownership more affordable. Ways and Means Chairman Dino Rossi set a great precedent in 2003 by balancing the state budget without raising taxes while protecting the vulnerable and elderly. I plan to work for the same kind of results!

Do you support the initiative to raise the sales tax 1 penny to raise money for schools and higher education? No! At a time when Washington is struggling to come out of a recession, I believe that increasing the sales tax is a bad idea that will hurt job creation. If we want to increase spending on education we need to put more Washingtonians to work through enacting a climate for private sector job growth. This will, in turn, create more tax revenue allowing for greater spending on education.

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? No, but I don't support a "top 2" primary system either. The "top 2" system would virtually eliminate smaller political parties from the general election ballot. Third parties are important both as potential future major parties and as pressure valves for those disenfrachised with the Republicans and Democrats. If we don't allow people to express their frustration with the major parties democratically, what other methods will they use?

What do you think of the initiative to expand the use of slot machines to reduce taxes? Gambling is a bad idea, but many people enjoy it. I believe we need to let adults make decisions as often as possible on how to spend their time and money. If people wish to spend that time and money gambling at a bar or bowling alley that should be their choice and I would prefer that the state benefit from some of the revenue as a result.

Contact

Mailing: PO BOX 63
Physical: 6300 Storkson Drive Suite 1-A
CLINTON, WA 98236
(360) 341-2835
chris@chrisstrow.com

Campaign Web site:
www.chrisstrow.com