Web site: www.kostercountry.com

DOB: 9/8/51
Occupation: Snohomish County Council member
Education: Graduate , Everett Community College

Family/personal: Married to Vicki for 35 years; 4 children and six grandchildren.

Political offices held: Precinct committee officer, elected to the Washington House of Representatives, serving three terms; congressional candidate, 2000; elected to Snohomish County Council, 2001.

Public service/volunteer experience: Served on Snohomish County Agricultural Advisory Board and as past board President of Arlington Christian School. Attend Arlington First Baptist.

What two issues concern you most in the race? Transportation. In spite of choices that voters have made that have impacted revenues, we have made substantial investments throughout Snohomish County with many more planned. Our ability to address transportation needs to any degree is dependent upon partnerships with Washington state, other counties, cities, and tribes to target and fund priority projects (a recent partnership success was the 172nd Street interchange). We have adjusted transportation mitigation fees upward for the first time in 10 years, and need to continue to prioritize expenditures to target congestion relief. We are continuing to focus on the Regional Transportation Investment District process to fund major congestion points including Highway 9. Transportation solutions must be found in order to sustain our economy and our regional competitiveness. Economic development. A sound economic base not only means retaining existing business, but attracting new business that provide good jobs and a stable tax base. The tax and regulatory climate should be such that business can succeed, that it will attract business location, and encourage startup business. A good job base means people can work closer to where they live. Currently, over 100,000 cars per day leave Snohomish County carrying people to their jobs in King County. Obviously job creation in Snohomish County is part of the solution to overcrowded roads. A good tax base means government is able to provide required services.